CAC And SMEDAN Unveil Free Registration For 250,000 MSMEs Nationwide

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) have launched a free registration drive for 250,000 small businesses.

The announcement came during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in Abuja between the CAC Registrar-General and SMEDAN Director-General.

The CAC Registrar-General, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, and SMEDAN Director-General, Charles Odii, confirmed the initiative as part of ongoing national reforms.

They noted the campaign coincides with their second anniversary in office since appointments in October 2023 under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

According to the joint statement, the free registration covers nano, micro, and small businesses across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Officials explained that formalisation has been a challenge for entrepreneurs due to high costs, bureaucracy, and low awareness of government support programmes.

The CAC–SMEDAN initiative seeks to eliminate these hurdles by providing free registration and linking beneficiaries directly to SMEDAN’s MSME database.

Through the database, registered businesses will access grants, training, technical support, and market opportunities to strengthen growth and competitiveness.

Magaji highlighted that Nigeria is witnessing investment in infrastructure, exchange rate unification, and a N200bn assistance programme for SMEs and manufacturers.

He stressed the CAC is foregoing approximately N3bn in registration fees to make the initiative possible for Nigerian entrepreneurs.

Odii added that the project would reduce illegal businesses and lower the collapse rate among small and medium enterprises nationwide.

He explained that MSMEs on SMEDAN’s database without CAC registration would automatically qualify for the free registration programme.

For business owners unfamiliar with digital processes, SMEDAN State Offices and Business Clinics nationwide will provide necessary support.

Odii also clarified that fear of taxation should not deter applicants, as the 2026 tax reforms will raise exemption thresholds.

He assured that the planned CAC fee review will not affect the free registration of the 250,000 businesses targeted under the scheme.

Both leaders praised President Tinubu’s support for MSMEs and emphasized that the initiative reflects his Renewed Hope agenda for entrepreneurs.

The free business name registration drive aims to formalize small businesses, reduce barriers, and accelerate economic growth across Nigeria.

How to Apply:

1. Visit portal.smedan.gov.ng and complete the registration form.
2. MSMEs already on SMEDAN’s database without CAC registration automatically qualify.
3. Registered applicants will be contacted for their CAC certification steps.

The CAC and SMEDAN partnership highlights Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening its MSME ecosystem and driving sustainable national industrial growth.