Nigeria's Excise Tax on SSBs Sparks Health Debate

The campaign for an increase in excise duty on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in Nigeria has resurfaced, causing concern within the beverage manufacturing industry. The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has urged the National Assembly to amend the current excise duty structure, which is a flat rate of N10 per liter, to a percentage-based levy on retail prices.

This amendment is seen as a crucial step to strengthen Nigeria's weak tax system on non-alcoholic sweetened beverages and to protect public health by preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). CAPPA highlighted that Nigeria faces a significant burden from diseases linked to unhealthy diets, with 11 million people living with diabetes and thousands dying annually from preventable complications.

The proposed bill aims to earmark a portion of the revenue for health promotion and disease prevention programs. The Senate's Joint Committee on Finance and Customs and Excise is set to convene public hearings in Abuja to gather input from stakeholders across the country.