ACCI urges Senate to protect MSMEs, calls for suspension of proposed Excise amendment on non-alcoholic beverages

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The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has urged the Senate to suspend the proposed amendment to Section 21(3) of the Customs, Excise Tariffs, etc.9 (Consolidation) Act, which seeks to replace the current ₦10 per litre excise duty on non-alcoholic, carbonated sugar-sweetened beverages with a percentage-based levy tied to retail prices.

The President of the Chamber, Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, PhD, made the call in response to the public hearing held at the National Assembly.

He noted that, while the Chamber supports Nigeria’s public health objectives, the proposed amendment poses a significant threat to millions of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) whose livelihoods are tied to the non-alcoholic beverage value chain.

Chief Obegolu, who also leads the Organised Private Sector (OPS) in the Federal Capital Territory and surrounding states, emphasised that the sector extends far beyond manufacturers.

It includes thousands of micro and informal businesses such as street vendors, kiosk operators, petty traders, last-mile distributors, logistics workers, transporters, and retailers across Nigeria.

Citing the MAN–NADB sectoral report prepared by PwC, Chief Obegolu, highlighted that over 1.5 million Nigerians earn their livelihoods directly and indirectly from this ecosystem.
“Before introducing new fiscal burdens, we must protect the MSMEs who hold Nigeria’s economy together. We respectfully urge the Senate to suspend the proposed amendment and harmonise it with the Executive’s broader fiscal reform agenda,” he stated.

He further stressed the need to safeguard jobs, improve the ease of doing business, and avoid fiscal policies that could inadvertently push more people into poverty or expand the informal economy.

“As the leading private sector organisation committed to advancing business interests, promoting trade, and supporting entrepreneurship for national economic growth, the ACCI, through its four specialised Centres: the Business Entrepreneurship and Skills Training (BEST) Centre, the Nigerian Chamber of Commerce Dispute Resolution Centre (NCC-DRC), the Abuja Trade Centre (ATC), and the National Policy Advocacy Centre (NPAC), continues to provide research-driven policy recommendations and advocacy,” he added.

The ACCI expressed its readiness to continue engaging constructively with the National Assembly, the Executive, and private sector stakeholders to develop balanced fiscal frameworks that protect public health without undermining business sustainability.