The federal government, through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), is continuing applications for the free CAC business name registration programme for Nigerians operating micro, small and medium enterprises across the country. The portal is open.
The initiative is implemented in partnership with the Corporate Affairs Commission and forms part of the Renewed Hope agenda aimed at encouraging business formalisation and economic inclusion.
Under the programme, eligible MSMEs are able to register their business names with CAC at no cost.
The programme was introduced following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between SMEDAN and CAC, with the target of registering 250,000 MSMEs nationwide. It is designed for entrepreneurs who are already operating businesses but remain outside the formal sector due to cost, limited awareness, or fear of regulatory processes. The initiative is a free business name registration for MSMEs.
Participation is limited to business name registration only. It does not currently apply to limited liability companies or incorporated trustees. While SMEDAN facilitates and sponsors the process, CAC remains the sole authority responsible for reviewing applications, approving registrations, and issuing official certificates. This means beneficiaries ultimately receive valid CAC documents directly from the Commission.
Eligibility requirement is for Nigerian citizens who operate micro, small or medium enterprises and do not already have a CAC business name registration.
Applicants are expected to provide accurate personal and business details and typically require a valid National Identification Number to complete the process.
MSMEs already captured in SMEDAN’s database without CAC registration are also eligible under the initiative.
There is no fixed deadline for the programme. However, it is strictly limited to the first 250,000 qualified MSMEs, making it a first come, first served process. Once the allocated slots are exhausted, free registration under this initiative will stop even if the application portal remains open.
To apply, interested applicants are required to submit applications through official SMEDAN portal portal.smedan.gov.ng.
Successful applicants will be contacted for the free business registration.
