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 removing the financial burden of business registration for eligible nano, micro and small businesses, enabling more entrepreneurs to participate in Nigeria’s formal economy.
Under the programme, successful applicants will receive free Business Name registration through the Corporate Affairs Commission, with the Federal Government paying all statutory registration fees.
The scheme was officially announced by the Presidency during the 8th National MSME Awards held at the State House in Abuja on June 27, 2026.
Beyond free CAC registration, beneficiaries will also receive technical training, business development support, and access to business opportunities designed to enhance sustainability, improve competitiveness, and promote 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 personal details, including their name, email address, phone number, and password.
Complete the MSME registration form with accurate business information.
Select “No” when asked whether the business already has a CAC registration number.
Review all submitted information and complete the application.
Await confirmation from SMEDAN if their application is successful.
Businesses already registered on the SMEDAN database but without a CAC registration may also automatically qualify for the programme.
Successful applicants will be contacted with further instructions for completing their free CAC Business Name registration.
The initiative follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Corporate Affairs Commission and SMEDAN to formalise 250,000 nano, micro and small enterprises across Nigeria.
According to the Presidency, President Tinubu approved the free formalisation and corporate registration programme in 2026 as part of efforts to eliminate financial barriers facing small businesses and integrate them into Nigeria’s formal banking and regulatory system.
The government believes the programme will strengthen the MSME sector, expand financial inclusion, improve access to funding, and contribute to economic growth by bringing more businesses into the formal economy.
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