How to Get the SMEDAN Free CAC Business Registration Offer in Nigeria
12 Jul 2026
How to Get Free CAC Business Registration Through SMEDAN in Nigeria
Last updated: August 2026
If you run a small business in Nigeria and you haven't registered it with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), there is a government-backed opportunity you should know about.
SMEDAN, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, partnered with the Corporate Affairs Commission to provide free business registration for 250,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The initiative was announced by SMEDAN in September 2025 as part of efforts to help Nigerian businesses formalise and gain access to more opportunities.
The good news is that SMEDAN currently has a CAC Registration Service directly on its portal.
Here's how to go through the process.
What Is the SMEDAN CAC Registration Offer?
SMEDAN and CAC partnered to remove the cost barrier that prevents many small businesses from becoming formally registered.
According to SMEDAN, the partnership provides free CAC registration for 250,000 MSMEs across Nigeria.
Normally, registering a business name with CAC involves a filing fee. CAC's standard process includes checking your proposed business name, completing the pre-registration form and paying the applicable filing fee.
Through the SMEDAN initiative, eligible businesses can access the CAC registration service through the SMEDAN platform.
Important: The availability and eligibility of government programmes can change. Always follow what the official SMEDAN portal currently shows rather than paying an agent who claims they can "activate" the offer for you.
Step 1: Create a SMEDAN Account
Start by creating an account on the official SMEDAN portal.
Official SMEDAN registration portal:
https://portal.smedan.gov.ng/signup
The registration page is titled "Register your business with SMEDAN" and allows you to create your account.
You'll need to provide your basic information and create your login credentials.
Direct link
Step 2: Complete Your Business Information
After creating your account, you'll need to provide information about your business.
The SMEDAN onboarding process asks whether your business is already registered with CAC.
You can access the business information section here:
Some of the information requested includes things such as:
- Business name
- Business phone number
- Year the business started
- State
- LGA
- Website
- Business type
- Main product or service
- Annual turnover category
- Employment category
- CAC registration status
The portal currently asks users whether they already have a CAC-registered business.
Step 3: Describe Your Business
Next, SMEDAN asks for more information about what your business actually does.
You'll encounter fields such as:
- Main product
- Business premise
- Business industry
- Business area
- Annual turnover category
- Employment category
- Business description
You can access this section here:
What should you put in "Business Description"?
Keep it simple and clear.
For example:
"We sell handmade skincare products including body butter, soaps and natural oils to customers through our physical store and online channels."
You don't need to write an entire business plan.
Just explain what you sell, who you sell it to and how the business operates.
Step 4: Complete Your SMEDAN Verification
SMEDAN's current onboarding process includes identity verification.
The portal provides a NIN verification step and asks users to complete an identity check.
👉 SMEDAN Identity Verification
Before starting
Make sure you have:
- Your NIN available
- Good lighting
- Your face clearly visible
- A phone or device capable of completing the verification
The portal specifically instructs users to be in a well-lit environment and have their NIN ready.
Step 5: Go to the CAC Registration Service
Once your SMEDAN onboarding is complete, look for the CAC Registration Service.
SMEDAN currently has a dedicated CAC registration page:
👉 SMEDAN CAC Registration Service
The page asks for your:
- Proposed business name
- Line of business
This is the part you want if you're trying to register a new business through the SMEDAN CAC initiative.
Step 6: Enter Your Proposed Business Name
You'll need to provide the name you want to register.
For example:
Business name:
Rhema Foods
Line of business:
Food production and retail
Have more than one name ready
It's a good idea to have at least two or three possible business names.
For example:
- Rhema Foods
- Rhema Kitchen
- Rhema Food Hub
Why?
Because your preferred name may already be taken or may not be available for registration.
CAC's normal business-name registration process starts with checking the availability of your proposed name.
Step 7: Complete the CAC Registration Details
If you proceed with the SMEDAN CAC registration service, you'll be guided through the remaining registration information.
You'll need to provide the relevant information about:
- The proprietor/business owner
- The business
- Business address
- Nature of the business
- Contact information
- Required identification
- Signature
SMEDAN's CAC flow currently includes a proprietor signature stage before completion.
Step 8: Submit Your Application
Once you've provided the required information, review everything carefully before submitting.
Pay particular attention to:
- Spelling of your name
- Business name
- Phone number
- Email address
- Business address
- Nature of business
- Identification details
A mistake in your registration information can create unnecessary delays or corrections later.
Step 9: Wait for Your Registration
After submitting your information, the application will go through the relevant processing stages.
CAC states that its standard Business Name registration process is now end-to-end online through its Company Registration Portal, with electronic certificates and certified registration extracts issued after successful registration.
Your experience through the SMEDAN programme may differ from the standard CAC process, so use the status and instructions displayed in your SMEDAN account.
What You Should Have Ready
Before starting, prepare these details:
- Your proposed business name
- At least 2 alternative business names
- Description of what your business does
- Business address
- Phone number
- Email address
- NIN
- Valid identification where requested
- Passport photograph where requested
- Details about your business activities
- Information about your business owner/proprietor
SMEDAN's One-Stop Shop also lists common CAC requirements for business-name registration, including a business address, residential address, two proposed names, nature of business, passport photograph, ID card and phone number.
What If I Already Have a CAC Business?
If your business is already registered with CAC, you don't need to register the same business again.
You can still register with SMEDAN to access other government and private-sector opportunities available through the agency.
SMEDAN says its platform connects MSMEs with benefits including financial services, training, government programmes and other private-sector opportunities.
Don't Pay a Random Agent
This is probably the most important part.
If someone sends you a message saying:
"Send me ₦20,000 and I'll activate your SMEDAN CAC registration."
Stop and verify first.
The official SMEDAN portal already provides a CAC Registration Service.
You should always start from the official SMEDAN website or portal rather than a random WhatsApp link, social media account or unofficial agent.
If you're unsure about a programme, use SMEDAN's official contact channels to verify it.
Quick Summary
The process is basically:
1. Create a SMEDAN account
↓
2. Complete your business information
↓
3. Complete your business description
↓
4. Complete identity verification
↓
5. Access the CAC Registration Service
↓
6. Submit your proposed business name and business details
↓
7. Complete the CAC registration information
↓
8. Submit and monitor your application
↓
9. Receive your registration documents when approved
Useful Official Links
| What you need | Official link |
|---|---|
| Create SMEDAN account | SMEDAN Sign Up |
| SMEDAN Business Information | Business Information |
| SMEDAN Business Description | Business Description |
| SMEDAN Verification | NIN Verification |
| CAC Registration through SMEDAN | CAC Registration Service |
| CAC Business Name Registration | CAC Official Website |
| SMEDAN Contact | Contact SMEDAN |
Final Word
If you've been running a business from Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok or a physical shop without formally registering it, this is worth checking out.
Getting your CAC registration is not going to magically make your business successful, but it gives you a formal business identity that can make it easier to build trust, pursue opportunities and take the business more seriously.
And if you're eligible for the SMEDAN CAC initiative, why pay a middleman when you can start from the official platform yourself?
Start here: 👉 https://portal.smedan.gov.ng/signup
Disclaimer: Government programmes and eligibility requirements can change. This guide is based on the SMEDAN and CAC information available at the time of publication. Always confirm the current requirements and availability directly on the official SMEDAN and CAC platforms.