Friday, 3 October 2025

CAC, SMEDAN roll out free registration for 250,000 MSMEs

By Abimbola Akomolafe on October 3, 2025

The Corporate Affairs Commission CAC and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria SMEDAN have launched a nationwide drive to provide free business name registration for 250,000 micro small and medium enterprises MSMEs. The initiative is part of the Federal Government's Renewed Hope agenda to support small businesses and promote economic growth.

Announced in Abuja on September 26 during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two agencies the programme addresses cost and bureaucracy that keep many firms in the informal sector. By removing registration fees the scheme opens access to finance markets and government support for MSMEs.

Registered businesses will be linked to SMEDAN's national MSME database which offers aftercare services such as grants training technical support and market linkages. According to officials the database will serve as a one stop platform to connect businesses with opportunities to grow.

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How to Apply:

Visit the SMEDAN portal at http://portal.smedan.gov.ng
Sign up with your details
Select "No" when asked if you already have a CAC number
Submit your information and wait for confirmation

MSMEs already listed in SMEDAN's database without a CAC number will automatically qualify for the free registration drive.

CAC Registrar General Hussaini Ishaq Magaji SAN said the initiative will break barriers that keep many entrepreneurs informal while SMEDAN Director General Dr Charles Odii noted that formalisation is the gateway to support. Together they stressed that the partnership represents a major investment in Nigeria's small business ecosystem.