Chukwu Obinna 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) have launched a landmark programme granting free registration to 250,000 small businesses nationwide.
Unveiled in Abuja on Friday, the initiative is expected to save entrepreneurs an estimated ₦3 billion in registration costs, breaking long-standing barriers of cost and bureaucracy that deterred many from formalising their ventures.
Registrar-General, CAC, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, said the move aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda. “By removing the cost of business name registration for 250,000 enterprises, we are enabling entrepreneurs to access finance, gain legitimacy, and expand into new markets,” he stated.
SMEDAN’s Director-General, Charles Odii, added that registered businesses will be integrated into the national MSME database, unlocking access to grants, training, and market linkages. “For those unable to complete digital registration, SMEDAN state offices and Business Clinics will provide direct support,” he assured.
Officials noted that the programme also anticipates reforms under the 2026 tax framework, designed to ease taxation concerns for micro and small businesses.
Applications for the free scheme are open via the SMEDAN portal, while MSMEs already in SMEDAN’s database but lacking CAC registration will automatically qualify.
Authorities emphasised the programme is more than a fee waiver — it marks a step toward reshaping Nigeria’s business landscape by fostering innovation, inclusion, and sustainability.
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