How much does it cost to set up a UAE company from Nigeria?
From Nigeria the fees are the same as from anywhere: AED 4,888 licence-only at Ajman NuVentures Centre, or AED 10,800 with one residence visa. No zone charges a nationality premium, though Nigerian founders should expect closer bank due diligence when opening the account. Source: Formenzo UAE Free Zone Price Index 2026 (price data verified 27 June 2026).
Formenzo publishes real, published 2026 scenario figures, confirmed in writing, with no sales call. See the full Cost Index or the open price dataset (CC-BY).
Build my estimate →Get a quote on WhatsApp →By the Formenzo Research Desk · compare all 9 zones
What AED 4,888 and AED 10,800 actually buy
Both headline figures come from Ajman NuVentures Centre, the cheapest of the nine zones in the Cost Index. AED 4,888 covers the trade licence, authority fees and setup service with no visa; AED 10,800 adds one complete residence-visa process. Nigerian founders pay exactly these published rates — there is no nationality surcharge at any of the tracked zones.
Who picks this option
Common Lagos and Abuja profiles: importers who source in China and the UAE and want a Gulf company to hold supplier relationships, tech and fintech consultants invoicing international clients in dirhams rather than naira, and logistics or oil-services contractors using a UAE entity to bid for regional work. The guide for Nigerian founders walks through the route step by step.
Two things founders ask
Will a Nigerian passport slow down bank-account opening? Expect enhanced due diligence: UAE banks review applications closely, so have your licence, source-of-funds evidence and client contracts ready before you apply.
Can the fees be paid from Nigeria? Yes, by international transfer or card. Given naira transfer limits, most founders pay from a domiciliary account in US dollars.