As part of efforts to ease business formalisation and reduce startup costs for small enterprises, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), has commenced a free business name registration programme for eligible nano, micro and small enterprises (MSMEs).
Below is a step-by-step guide on how interested entrepreneurs can apply for the free CAC registration through the SMEDAN portal.
Step 1: Visit the SMEDAN Portal
Applicants should visit the official SMEDAN portal via:
https://portal.smedan.gov.ng/dashboard
Step 2: Create a SMEDAN Account and Download Certificate
Applicants are required to first create an account with SMEDAN by clicking on the Sign Up option. They should fill in all required personal and business details accurately. After successful registration, applicants should download their SMEDAN certificate, which is a prerequisite for proceeding to the free CAC registration.
Step 3: Log In to Your Account
After completing registration, applicants should log back into the portal using their username and password.
Step 4: Click on the Home Button
On the dashboard, click the Home button located at the top left-hand side of the page.
Step 5: Proceed to CAC Certificate Section
Applicants should locate and click the option that allows them to proceed to the CAC business name certificate application.
Step 6: Fill in Required Details and Submit
Follow the instructions carefully, complete all required fields, and submit the application.
Step 7: Wait for Certificate Processing
Applicants should note that the CAC certificate may take more than 48 hours to be processed and made available.
The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), in partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), has unveiled a free business registration scheme targeting 250,000 nano, micro and small enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide.
The initiative was officially launched in Abuja during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both agencies. The launch marked part of the activities commemorating two years in office of CAC Registrar-General, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, and SMEDAN Director-General, Dr. Charles Odii, who were appointed in October 2023.
Speaking at the event, Magaji highlighted that many small businesses in Nigeria remain stuck in the informal sector due to financial constraints, bureaucratic red tape, and lack of awareness. “Formalization has long been a hurdle for many small businesses. This new CAC–SMEDAN scheme removes those barriers by covering the cost of registration and linking beneficiaries directly to SMEDAN’s MSME database,” he said.
Magaji noted that through this initiative, the CAC is forgoing about ₦3 billion in registration fees to support small business growth and economic inclusion. “By removing the cost of business name registration for 250,000 businesses, we are helping more entrepreneurs take the first step toward growth, legitimacy, and access to bigger opportunities. It is also an investment in the MSME ecosystem,” he added.
