The verdict in three sentences
In Nigeria, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) runs an online-first registration portal: you file, you pay, and you are incorporated, often within one to three days. For a web business, a Ltd (private limited company) protects your personal assets while staying affordable, with a 2026 order-of-magnitude cost of NGN 10,000-30,000. The real prize is not the certificate: it is the RC number and TIN that unlock legal invoicing, merchant collections and B2B contracts.
The CAC steps
The journey is linear and almost entirely digital in 2026. Here is the typical path for a digital founder.
| Step | Content | Indicative 2026 time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Choose the form | Business name or Ltd | 1 day |
| 2. Name reservation | Availability check on the portal | Same day |
| 3. File incorporation | Details, ID, address | 1 day |
| 4. RC number issued | Certificate of incorporation | 1-3 days |
| 5. TIN / tax registration | Mandatory tax number | Included |
Once the RC number is issued, you can open a corporate account and link merchant collection, an essential condition for clean receipts.
Which form and at what cost
The choice depends on your risk level and target clients. An agency signing contracts with SMEs or institutions should formalise quickly.
| Form | Asset protection | 2026 order-of-magnitude cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business name | No (unlimited liability) | NGN 10,000-15,000 | Freelancer starting out |
| Ltd (private) | Yes (separate assets) | NGN 20,000-30,000 | Solo web agency |
| Ltd (multi-shareholder) | Yes | NGN 25,000-40,000 | Multi-founder studio |
Share capital can start small and be raised later, so it does not weigh down the initial bill.
Mini case study
Emeka, a web developer in Lagos, invoiced under his own name and kept losing tenders for lack of an RC number. He registers a Ltd through the CAC portal for about NGN 25,000, gets his RC number in 2 days and opens a corporate account. The following month he signs a NGN 1.5m contract with a clinic that required a compliant invoice. The setup cost is repaid more than 50 times by that single contract.
Become a Kolonell referral partner
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Once registered, you can also earn by recommending projects. The Kolonell referral (apporteur d'affaires) program pays for every client you bring, by service pole.
| Pole | Sale commission | Recurring |
|---|---|---|
| Showcase site | 15% | 5% |
| E-commerce | 12% | 5% |
| Marketplace | 10% | — |
| Institutional | 8% | — |
A single 500,000 FCFA showcase site referred earns you 75,000 FCFA, almost the cost of your own company registration.
FAQ
How long does CAC registration take in 2026?
Expect one to three days online for a simple Ltd, provided your file is complete. Delays usually come from a rejected proposed name.
What is the real budget?
An order of magnitude of NGN 10,000-30,000 depending on the form, excluding any professional adviser fees. Share capital can be modest.
Do I need an RC number to collect via a merchant account?
Yes. The RC number and TIN are required to open a corporate account and issue compliant invoices for B2B clients.
Business name or Ltd for a web freelancer?
A Ltd protects your personal assets in a dispute for roughly NGN 10,000 more. As soon as you sign B2B contracts, it is the better choice.
Let's talk about your project. We support you from registration to a site that converts your clients. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
