FG Opens Portal for Free CAC Registration of 250,000 MSMEs

The Federal Government has opened applications for the free registration of 250,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) under the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN)-Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Formalisation Programme.

The initiative, approved by President Bola Tinubu, is designed to eliminate the cost of business registration for eligible nano, micro and small enterprises, with the aim of expanding participation in Nigeria’s formal economy and improving access to government-backed business support.

Under the programme, successful applicants will receive free Business Name registration through the Corporate Affairs Commission, with the Federal Government paying the statutory registration fees.

The programme was unveiled during the 8th National MSME Awards held at the State House, Abuja, as part of the administration’s efforts to strengthen entrepreneurship, boost job creation and promote the growth of small businesses across the country.

In addition to free CAC registration, beneficiaries will receive technical training, business development services and access to opportunities that will enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of their businesses.

To apply, interested entrepreneurs are required to register on the SMEDAN portal, create an account with their personal details, complete the MSME registration form, indicate that their business has no existing CAC registration number, and submit the application for assessment.

SMEDAN noted that businesses already captured in its database but yet to obtain CAC registration may also qualify for the programme.

Successful applicants will be notified by SMEDAN and guided through the next stage of the free Business Name registration process.

The initiative follows a Memorandum of Understanding between SMEDAN and the Corporate Affairs Commission to formalise 250,000 nano, micro and small enterprises nationwide.

According to the Presidency, the programme is expected to remove financial barriers to business formalisation, deepen financial inclusion and integrate more Nigerian businesses into the country’s formal banking and regulatory ecosystem.