The Federal Government has opened applications for the free registration of 250,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs, under the SMEDAN–Corporate Affairs Commission formalisation programme.
The initiative, approved by President Bola Tinubu, is aimed at removing the cost of business registration for eligible nano, micro and small enterprises, allowing more entrepreneurs to enter Nigeria’s formal economy.
Under the scheme, successful applicants will receive free Business Name registration through the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, while the Federal Government covers the statutory registration fees.
The programme was announced during the 8th National MSME Awards held at the State House, Abuja, on June 27, 2026. Reports said Tinubu formally approved the free corporate registration of 250,000 MSMEs nationwide as part of efforts to deepen formalisation, financial inclusion and business growth.
The free registration is being implemented under a partnership between SMEDAN and the CAC. TNL had earlier reported that both agencies launched a nationwide formalisation drive to provide free business registration for 250,000 nano, micro and small enterprises, following a Memorandum of Understanding between the two agencies.
The official SMEDAN notice on the scheme said the programme was designed to remove one of the major barriers faced by entrepreneurs, namely the cost of registration. It noted that while business registration with the CAC typically costs about ₦11,000, the partnership allows 250,000 businesses nationwide to access registration free of charge.
Beyond free registration, beneficiaries are also expected to receive technical training, business development support and access to opportunities aimed at improving sustainability and growth.
SMEDAN says the agency provides small businesses with access to knowledge, funding, tools and markets to help them grow, while its portal enables businesses to register and access government and private sector benefits.
How To Apply
Business owners interested in the programme are required to visit the official SMEDAN portal at portal.smedan.gov.ng and create an account using their personal details, including name, email address, phone number and password.
After creating an account, applicants are to complete the MSME registration form with accurate business information.
Applicants without CAC registration are expected to select “No” when asked whether the business already has a CAC registration number.
They are then required to review the information provided and submit the application.
Successful applicants are expected to wait for confirmation from SMEDAN on the next steps for their free CAC Business Name registration.
Businesses already registered on the SMEDAN database but without CAC registration may automatically qualify for the free registration drive.
The SMEDAN portal currently provides sign-up and registration options for MSMEs, requiring users to create accounts before proceeding with business registration.
The initiative follows the earlier MoU between the CAC and SMEDAN to formalise 250,000 nano, micro and small enterprises across the country.
According to the TheNigerialawyer’s report on the earlier formalisation drive, CAC and SMEDAN said the partnership supports the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope vision by empowering entrepreneurs and reducing registration costs for small businesses.
The government says the scheme will integrate more small businesses into the formal banking and regulatory ecosystem, while improving access to finance, grants, training, market linkages and other government-backed opportunities.
The programme is expected to support nano and small-scale entrepreneurs who are unable to afford registration costs but require formal business status to access loans, contracts, public support programmes and other growth opportunities.
Applicants are advised to use only official SMEDAN channels and ensure that all business information submitted is accurate.
