Tinubu's Administration Offers Free CAC Registration to 250,000 MSMEs

The Nigerian Federal Government has commenced the application process for 250,000 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to receive free business registration. This formalisation programme, a collaboration between the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), received presidential approval from Bola Tinubu. Its primary goal is to eliminate the financial burden associated with business registration for qualifying nano, micro, and small enterprises, thereby facilitating their integration into Nigeria's formal economic sector.

Those who successfully apply will benefit from complimentary Business Name registration via the Corporate Affairs Commission, as the Federal Government will absorb all statutory registration charges. The Presidency first unveiled this initiative during the 8th National MSME Awards, which took place at the State House in Abuja on June 27. In addition to the no-cost registration, participants are slated to gain access to technical training, essential business development assistance, and various opportunities designed to foster business longevity and expansion.

For business owners keen on participating in this scheme, the application process involves several steps:

1. Navigate to SMEDAN's official online portal at portal.smedan.gov.ng.

2. Establish an account by providing personal particulars such as full name, email address, phone number, and a chosen password.

3. Diligently fill out the MSME registration form, ensuring all business details are precise.

4. When prompted about existing CAC registration, select “No.”

5. Thoroughly review all entered information before final submission.

6. Await notification from SMEDAN regarding the success of the application.

Enterprises already listed within the SMEDAN database but currently lacking CAC registration might be automatically eligible for the programme. Successful candidates will receive further communication detailing the subsequent procedures for their complimentary CAC Business Name registration. This initiative stems from a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) previously executed between the Corporate Affairs Commission and SMEDAN, aimed at formalising a quarter of a million nano, micro, and small businesses across the nation.

President Tinubu had formally endorsed the free formalisation and corporate registration for 250,000 MSMEs nationwide in 2026. This approval was publicly disclosed during the 8th National MSME Awards, held at the State House in Abuja in 2026. The Presidency stated that this strategic decision seeks to alleviate financial burdens on nano, micro, and small-scale entrepreneurs, thereby facilitating their seamless inclusion into Nigeria's established banking and regulatory framework.