By Aliyu Oyewole
The Federal Government has commenced 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) and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) formalisation programme.
The initiative, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is aimed at eliminating the cost of business registration for eligible nano, micro and small enterprises, thereby encouraging more entrepreneurs to join Nigeria’s formal economy and access government-backed opportunities.
Under the scheme, successful applicants will receive free Business Name registration through the Corporate Affairs Commission, with the Federal Government paying all statutory registration fees.
The programme was officially unveiled by the Presidency during the 8th National MSME Awards held at the State House in Abuja on June 27, 2026.
Beyond the free CAC registration, beneficiaries will also receive technical training, business development support, mentorship and access to programmes designed to improve business sustainability, expand market opportunities and strengthen long-term growth.
How to Apply
Interested business owners are required to:
Visit the official SMEDAN portal at portal.smedan.gov.ng.
Create an account using their name, email address, phone number and password.
Complete the MSME registration form with accurate business information.
Select “No” when asked if the business already has a CAC registration number.
Review all submitted information before submitting the application.
Await confirmation from SMEDAN if the application is successful.
The government noted that businesses already registered on the SMEDAN database but without CAC registration may automatically qualify for the programme.
Successful applicants will be contacted with further instructions on completing their free Business Name registration with the CAC.
The initiative follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between SMEDAN and the Corporate Affairs Commission to formalise 250,000 nano, micro and small enterprises across Nigeria.
According to the Presidency, the programme is intended to remove financial barriers facing small business owners while integrating them into Nigeria’s formal banking and regulatory system. Officials said the initiative is expected to improve access to financing, government interventions, and other business support services, strengthening the contribution of MSMEs to economic growth, job creation and national development.
