CAC, SMEDAN Offer Free Registration for 250,000 MSMEs

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) have launched a nationwide initiative to provide free business registration for 250,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

The scheme, unveiled on Friday, September 26, in Abuja during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two agencies, aims to strengthen Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem by promoting formalisation and reducing barriers to growth, in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope vision.

Formalisation has long been a challenge for many small businesses, with cost, bureaucracy, and lack of awareness keeping millions in the informal sector. This often limits access to finance, markets, and government support. The CAC–SMEDAN initiative removes these obstacles by covering registration costs and linking beneficiaries directly to SMEDAN’s MSME database.

Through the database, registered businesses will gain access to aftercare services, including grants, capacity-building programmes, technical support, and market linkages.

CAC Registrar-General Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, said the drive aims to eliminate barriers that keep many businesses informal, noting that removing registration fees will help entrepreneurs access growth opportunities.

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SMEDAN Director-General Dr. Charles Odii emphasised that formalisation is the gateway to support, highlighting that registered businesses will benefit from continuous aftercare such as grants, training, and market access.

Together, the agencies said the initiative represents a major investment in Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem, with CAC foregoing about ₦3 billion in fees, while SMEDAN provides the necessary support system to ensure businesses not only register but also thrive. They noted that the collaboration embodies the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope agenda by creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurs.

How to Apply:

1. Visit the SMEDAN portal: http://portal.smedan.gov.ng

2. Sign up and complete your registration on the portal.

3. When asked if you have a CAC number, select “No”.

4. Submit your details to complete the process.

5. Once registration is completed, you will be contacted with the next steps to finalise your free CAC registration.

MSMEs already on SMEDAN’s database without CAC registration automatically qualify for the free registration drive.