Tesla Loses Top Spot as BYD Overtakes in Global EV Sales

Tesla has reported lower-than-expected vehicle sales in the fourth quarter of 2025, losing its position as the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) maker by annual sales to Chinese auto giant, BYD.

The American EV manufacturer, led by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, said it delivered 418,227 vehicles in the final three months of 2025, bringing its total deliveries for the year to about 1.64 million units.

In contrast, a day earlier, Shenzhen-based BYD announced that it sold 2.26 million electric vehicles in 2025, overtaking Tesla to emerge as the global market leader in EV sales.

Analysts had projected a stronger performance from Tesla in the fourth quarter, with a FactSet consensus estimating deliveries of about 449,000 vehicles.

The shortfall has heightened concerns over slowing demand for electric vehicles, particularly in the United States.

Industry analysts noted that the removal of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit at the end of September 2025 has continued to weigh on consumer demand in the US market, with the sector yet to find a new equilibrium.

However, observers point out that Tesla’s sales challenges predated the policy change, as the company had already been struggling in some key markets.

This, analysts said, was partly linked to the political activities of its chief executive, Elon Musk, including his public support for US President Donald Trump and other far-right politicians, which reportedly affected consumer sentiment.

Tesla is also facing intensifying competition from Chinese manufacturers, particularly BYD, as well as from established European automakers ramping up their EV offerings.

BYD, which produces both fully electric and hybrid vehicles, on Thursday disclosed that it recorded its highest-ever EV sales in 2025, underlining the growing dominance of Chinese firms in the global electric vehicle market.

The development signals a major shift in the rapidly evolving EV industry, with analysts predicting stiffer competition and further pressure on global automakers in the coming year.

Understanding Nigeria’s Tax Reforms from the Diaspora Lens, by Boniface Ihiasota

Over the past year, Nigeria’s fiscal landscape has undergone one of its most significant overhauls in decades. With the Nigeria Tax Act (NTA) 2025, Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA) 2025, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act (NRSEA) 2025, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act (JRBEA) 2025 all gazetted and taking effect from January 2026, Nigerians both at home and abroad have stirred in intense debate about what the new tax regime means for them.

For Nigerians in the diaspora, often seen as economic anchors through remittances, investment, skills, and global network strengths, the anxieties have been palpable. But beneath the political rhetoric and social media speculation lies a set of rational, fact-based realities that deserve sober reflection.

At the heart of the concerns was a simple question: Will Nigerians abroad now be taxed simply because they are citizens, earn income abroad, or send money home? The answer, based on official clarifications from the government’s Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, is a resounding no — provided certain conditions are met.

Under the new tax framework, tax liability is tied to residency and source of income, not nationality. Nigeria uses the widely accepted 183-day rule to determine tax residency: an individual who spends 183 days or more in Nigeria within any 12-month period is treated as a tax resident and may be liable to tax on their worldwide income. A Nigerian living predominantly overseas is therefore generally classified as a non-resident for tax purposes.

For non-residents, the guiding principle is simple: only income derived from Nigerian sources such as business profits within Nigeria, rental income from Nigerian property, dividends from Nigerian companies, or other Nigeria-sourced earnings is taxable in Nigeria. Income earned entirely abroad, even if remitted into Nigeria, is not taxable under the new law.

This principle aligns with international norms and double taxation prevention practices, ensuring that non-residents are not taxed twice on the same earnings. Nigeria has signed Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs) with many countries to further cement this protection, and in cases where no treaty exists, unilateral relief provisions now apply.

Perhaps the most emotionally charged topic for families across Nigeria and its global diaspora has been remittances, the lifeblood of many households and a key stabilizer of local economies. According to reports from the International Organization for Migration and other development institutions, Nigeria received over $20 billion in remittances in 2024 alone, making it one of the largest recipients globally.

The good news for diaspora Nigerians is that personal remittances, family transfers, gifts, refunds, and community contributions are explicitly not treated as taxable income under the new laws. They fall outside the definition of income because no services were rendered in exchange, meaning such inflows do not attract income tax.

This clarification is huge symbolically and economically. It stabilizes diaspora-to-home financial support channels and removes the fear that sending money to loved ones could attract punitive tax liabilities.

One point of confusion early in the rollout of the tax reforms was whether diaspora Nigerians were required to obtain a Tax Identification Number (TIN) or file annual returns. The government has clarified that Nigerians abroad who do not earn Nigerian-sourced income are not required to get a TIN or file returns simply by virtue of being diaspora citizens.

A TIN becomes relevant only when an individual earns income that is subject to Nigerian tax — for example, if they operate a business in Nigeria, receive Nigerian rents or dividends, or are otherwise engaged in Nigerian economic activities. In such cases, the government has made compliance simpler through digital platforms like TaxProMax, enabling remote TIN registration and electronic filing.

Under the new regime, pensions or stipends from abroad are not taxed in Nigeria unless they relate to employment performed in Nigeria. Similarly, income earned by remote workers employed by foreign entities is taxed in the country where the work is performed or where the worker resides, not in Nigeria.

Investment income like dividends, rental profits from property in Nigeria, or capital gains can be taxable, but they are subject to specific exemptions, withholding tax rates, and treaty-based withholding reductions, depending on the country of residence and the nature of the income.

For many Nigerians living abroad, these tax clarifications provide both relief and opportunity. They remove the threat of arbitrary taxation on diaspora earnings and remittances, uphold the principle that tax should be fair, linked to economic presence and source of income, and provide clear rules on compliance and obligations. This clarity could encourage greater diaspora engagement in investment, return visits, knowledge transfer, and even relocation — all of which can contribute to national development.

However, the reforms also underscore the importance of understanding one’s tax status, especially for diaspora members who maintain business interests, property, or other income-generating activities in Nigeria. In such cases, proactive compliance and professional tax guidance remain vital.

In conclusion, while tax changes can stir anxiety, the new framework ultimately protects the financial interests of Nigerians abroad, aligns Nigeria with global tax practices, and provides a structure that facilitates, rather than inhibits, diaspora contributions to national progress.

Taxation and the Nigerian Diaspora

For Nigerians in the diaspora, taxation has recently taken on a renewed urgency, shaped by Nigeria’s evolving fiscal reforms and global policy shifts that increasingly touch lives beyond the country’s borders. From London to Atlanta, Toronto to Berlin, conversations among Nigerians abroad are no longer just about exchange rates or remittance channels, but about what the newly introduced tax reforms at home truly mean for them.

Nigeria’s latest tax reforms, scheduled to take effect from January 2026, are among the most ambitious fiscal overhauls in decades. Driven by the need to boost non-oil revenue, the Federal Government has made clear its intention to widen the tax base and improve compliance rather than raise blanket tax rates. According to official data, Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio remains below 11 per cent, far lower than the African average of about 16 per cent. This gap has pushed policymakers to rethink how revenue is generated, especially in an economy grappling with subsidy removal, currency reforms and rising public debt.

For Nigerians living abroad, the immediate concern was whether these reforms would extend Nigeria’s tax reach to foreign-earned income or remittances. That fear was amplified by online speculation and misinformation. However, the government has repeatedly clarified that foreign income earned by non-resident Nigerians remains exempt from Nigerian taxation. Residency remains the key determinant. Under the revised framework, an individual becomes tax-resident only if they spend 183 days or more in Nigeria within a 12-month period. For the vast majority of Nigerians in the diaspora, this condition does not apply.

Equally important is the clarification on remittances. Nigeria received approximately 20.5 billion dollars in diaspora remittances in 2023, according to World Bank estimates, making it one of the largest recipients globally. These inflows support millions of households and often serve as informal social security. The government has stated unequivocally that personal remittances sent to families are not subject to taxation. This reassurance, publicly restated by the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, was crucial in calming fears of an erosion of diaspora support for families and communities back home.

That said, the reforms do affect Nigerians abroad who maintain economic ties with Nigeria. Rental income from properties, dividends from Nigerian companies, business profits and capital gains derived within Nigeria remain taxable. What has changed is the effort to streamline rates and enforcement. Under the new structure, individuals earning up to ₦800,000 annually in Nigeria are exempt from personal income tax, while higher income brackets attract progressive rates of up to 25 per cent. For diaspora investors, this clarity offers both reassurance and responsibility.

Yet taxation for Nigerians abroad is not shaped by Nigeria alone. Developments in host countries also matter. In the United States, for example, proposed legislation to impose an excise tax on outbound remittances has raised concerns among immigrant communities, including Nigerians. While still under debate, such proposals highlight how diaspora Nigerians can face additional financial pressure even when Nigeria itself does not tax remittances. These external policies complicate the already delicate balance between supporting home and meeting obligations abroad.

Beyond the figures and laws lies a deeper emotional dimension. Many Nigerians in the diaspora already shoulder what feels like an unspoken tax through remittances, school fees for relatives, medical bills and community obligations. When new fiscal policies are announced, the question is rarely about refusal to contribute but about trust. Diaspora Nigerians want assurance that taxation is tied to accountability, improved infrastructure and governance reforms that justify continued engagement.

Tax policy also influences long-term decisions. Uncertainty or perceived hostility can discourage diaspora investment, while transparent and predictable systems can attract it. Nigeria’s diaspora population is estimated at over 15 million people, with significant skills, capital and global networks. How taxation is framed and implemented will shape whether this community feels like partners in national development or distant revenue targets.

For second-generation Nigerians born abroad, the issue is even more symbolic. Their connection to Nigeria is often cultural rather than administrative. If engagement with the country is defined largely by obligations without visible benefits, the risk is gradual disengagement. Taxation, therefore, becomes a measure of how Nigeria defines citizenship in a globalised world.

In the end, the newly introduced tax reforms present both reassurance and reflection for Nigerians in the diaspora. They confirm that foreign-earned income and personal remittances remain protected, while reinforcing the principle that income generated in Nigeria carries responsibility. More importantly, they reopen a broader conversation about trust, inclusion and mutual benefit. For Nigerians abroad, tax is no longer just a line in a policy document; it is a mirror of how connected they remain to the country they still call home.