FIRS Accredits PwC as System Integrator for E-Invoicing

The Federal Inland Revenue Service has accredited PricewaterhouseCoopers as a system integrator for Nigeria’s electronic invoicing initiative, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to modernise tax administration, improve compliance and enhance revenue mobilisation. The accreditation positions PwC to support businesses and the tax authority in the implementation of the national e-invoicing framework.

The e-invoicing initiative is a core component of the FIRS’s digital transformation agenda, designed to automate transaction reporting, improve transparency and reduce revenue leakages. By accrediting system integrators, the tax authority aims to ensure that businesses can seamlessly connect their accounting and enterprise resource planning systems to the government’s invoicing platform.

FIRS explained that the role of system integrators is critical to the success of the e-invoicing project. Accredited firms are expected to help taxpayers integrate their internal systems with the FIRS platform, ensure data accuracy and support compliance with technical and regulatory requirements. The accreditation of PwC adds to a growing list of professional service providers approved to support the rollout.

According to the tax authority, e-invoicing will enable real-time or near real-time transmission of transaction data to FIRS, improving oversight of taxable activities. This is expected to strengthen value added tax administration, reduce under-reporting and enhance the efficiency of audits and reconciliations.

FIRS noted that Nigeria’s e-invoicing system is aligned with global best practices and experiences from other jurisdictions that have adopted digital invoicing to improve tax compliance. Countries that implemented similar systems, the service said, recorded significant improvements in revenue collection and reduced tax evasion.

The accreditation of PwC reflects the authority’s focus on engaging firms with strong technical capacity and experience in digital transformation, tax technology and enterprise systems. As a system integrator, PwC is expected to work with businesses across sectors to configure, test and deploy e-invoicing solutions that meet FIRS specifications.

Industry stakeholders say the move will provide comfort to large corporations and multinational companies that already rely on complex accounting systems. With professional firms supporting integration, businesses are expected to transition more smoothly to the new invoicing regime, minimising disruptions to operations.

FIRS reiterated that e-invoicing is not intended to increase tax rates but to improve compliance and fairness in the tax system. By capturing transaction data electronically, the authority said it can reduce opportunities for manual manipulation, fictitious invoicing and other practices that undermine revenue collection.

The tax authority also emphasised that data security and confidentiality remain a priority. Accredited system integrators are required to comply with strict data protection and cybersecurity standards to safeguard sensitive business information transmitted through the e-invoicing platform.

PwC, in response to the accreditation, expressed readiness to support businesses in navigating the technical and operational aspects of e-invoicing. The firm said its role as a system integrator would include advisory services, system configuration, testing and ongoing support to ensure compliance with FIRS requirements.

Analysts say the accreditation is timely, as many businesses are still assessing the implications of e-invoicing on their processes, costs and reporting obligations. They note that system integrators can play a crucial role in translating regulatory requirements into practical, workable solutions for taxpayers.

The e-invoicing initiative is expected to be rolled out in phases, starting with selected categories of taxpayers before broader implementation. FIRS said this phased approach will allow the authority and businesses to address technical issues and refine processes before full deployment.

Experts note that successful implementation will depend not only on technology but also on stakeholder engagement and capacity building. FIRS has been urged to continue sensitisation efforts to help businesses understand their obligations, timelines and the benefits of the new system.

Beyond revenue collection, analysts say e-invoicing could have wider economic benefits. Improved transaction transparency could support better economic data, enhance trust in the tax system and create a more level playing field for compliant businesses.

The accreditation of PwC also reflects FIRS’s strategy of leveraging private sector expertise to drive public sector reforms. By working with professional firms and technology providers, the authority aims to accelerate digitalisation and improve service delivery.

However, stakeholders have cautioned that implementation challenges remain, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises with limited technical capacity. They urged FIRS to ensure that solutions are scalable and affordable, so that compliance does not become overly burdensome for smaller businesses.

FIRS acknowledged these concerns, stating that the e-invoicing framework is being designed to accommodate businesses of different sizes and levels of sophistication. The authority said it is exploring simplified solutions for smaller taxpayers while maintaining robust controls.

As Nigeria continues to pursue fiscal reforms and broaden its revenue base, digital initiatives such as e-invoicing are expected to play an increasingly important role. The accreditation of system integrators like PwC signals progress toward a more transparent, efficient and technology-driven tax system.

With implementation gaining momentum, businesses are expected to begin engaging accredited integrators to assess readiness and plan integration. Observers say early preparation will be key to avoiding last-minute compliance challenges as e-invoicing becomes fully operational.

Overall, the accreditation of PwC as a system integrator represents a notable milestone in Nigeria’s tax digitalisation journey, reinforcing FIRS’s commitment to modern tax administration and improved compliance through technology.