Cafe One adjusts 2026 coworking rates, adds 7.5% VAT

Coworking chain Cafe One by Sterling has updated its prices to include a 7.5% Value Added Tax (VAT). The company says the adjustment is a legal requirement under Nigeria’s new tax law, not a company-driven increase.

Daily access for non-cardholders now costs ₦8,525, up from ₦7,930 in January 2025. Cardholders pay ₦6,310. Weekly passes stand at ₦42,625 and ₦31,552, while monthly plans cost ₦170,501 and ₦126,209 respectively. Student daily passes start from ₦2,150.

The revision comes barely a year after Cafe One raised rates by up to 37% in response to inflation, higher diesel prices, and rent increases. Then, the company said it had absorbed up to 400% cost hikes across some outlets before adjusting. 

The new 2026 update shifts focus from survival costs to compliance.

“In line with the new tax laws, we’ve adjusted our pricing to reflect the compulsory 7.5% VAT required by the government,” the company wrote in a note to customers. “Please note that this isn’t a price increase by us; the additional charge is a statutory tax requirement.”

For remote workers and startups—many relying on coworking hubs for power, internet and stability—the recurring adjustments underline how macroeconomic strain is reshaping the flexible workspace scene. Similar VAT-driven revisions are being seen across cafes and shared offices in Lagos and Abuja.

Cafe One says it remains committed to affordability through its Café One Card, which offers discounted rates and cashback on purchases. The brand has also opened new outlets, including one in Uyo, to widen access beyond Lagos.

Industry watchers note that VAT inclusion was inevitable, but maintaining loyalty in a price-sensitive market may now depend on perks, partnerships, and flexible plans.

Nigeria’s coworking market continues to grow as remote work expands, but the balance between affordability and sustainability is narrowing fast. Most Cafe One outlets close at 7 p.m., earlier than some mixed-use cafes—as operators weigh every cost against what customers can bear.