FG Reopens Free CAC Registration Portal for 250,000 Small Businesses

The Federal Government has reopened its free Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) business name registration programme, with 250,000 slots for nano, micro and small enterprises nationwide. The scheme is being run through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

The reopening follows earlier difficulties that stopped applicants from accessing the registration portal and disrupted the process. The programme is designed to remove the cost of registration, one of the main barriers keeping small operators outside the formal economy.

Who qualifies

The target is Nigerians running small businesses that are not yet registered with the CAC. Traders, artisans, retailers, service providers and other entrepreneurs seeking to formalise their operations are covered. Business owners already registered with SMEDAN but without CAC registration may also qualify, subject to the agency's requirements.

The free window covers business names only. It does not extend to the incorporation of limited liability companies. Entrepreneurs whose businesses already carry CAC registration are not the intended beneficiaries.

How to apply

Applicants should visit the official SMEDAN portal at https://portal.smedan.gov.ng and create an account with the required personal information, or log in to an existing account. They then complete the MSME profile with accurate business details.

When asked whether the business has an existing CAC registration number, an unregistered applicant should select "No". The information should be reviewed carefully before submission. Business owners who already have accounts are advised to continue their applications instead of opening duplicate profiles, and to keep their contact details accurate so they do not miss messages from the agency.

No fees, no guaranteed slot

Successful beneficiaries will not pay the covered CAC business name registration fees. SMEDAN has warned business owners against paying anyone who promises a guaranteed slot or approval.

Submitting an application does not guarantee selection. Applicants must meet the programme's requirements, and SMEDAN will communicate the next steps to eligible participants.

For many small businesses, the cost of registration is the reason they stay informal. A CAC number gives a business a recognised identity, improves credibility and helps meet documentation demands for certain commercial opportunities. It can also support applications for business banking, financing and government-backed enterprise programmes, though registration alone does not guarantee access.