Register a business at CAC in Nigeria to sell web services 2026

The verdict in three sentences

Formalising your reseller/referral activity makes your pitch credible with B2B clients and lets you issue clean invoices with a registered name and TIN. In Nigeria, the CAC has made Business Name registration fast and cheap: roughly NGN 20,000 to 30,000, 1 to 3 days online. Once registered, you plug in the Kolonell commission grid (showcase 15 % + 5 %, e-commerce 12 %) and invoice properly.

Why registering changes your revenue

A merchant hesitating to hand over 500,000 FCFA looks first at who they are talking to. A registered business, a TIN on the quote, a compliant invoice: these three signals cut friction. In B2B, especially facing structured SMEs or institutions, the lack of formal status is a frequent reason for refusal.

Registration also unlocks a business account, access to certain tenders and the ability to recruit sub-referrers. It is the shift from hustle to real business development.

The CAC steps one by one

Here is the 2026 order of magnitude for a Business Name in Nigeria. Exact amounts vary by structure and any agent you use.

In practice the CAC online portal bundles name reservation and registration in one flow, which explains the short delay. A Limited company costs more (share capital, incorporation) and only makes sense if you take on partners.

From registration to commissions

Once your status is secured you become a credible partner. The Kolonell grid then applies to each project you bring.

With a TIN you issue a clean commission invoice, you are compliant with the tax authority, and you can target bigger clients without administrative blockers.

Mini case study

Ibrahim, a technician in Ibadan, wants to sell e-commerce sites to wholesalers. Without status, two prospects backed off. He registers a Business Name at CAC for about NGN 25,000 in 3 days, gets his certificate and TIN. The next month he introduces Kolonell to three wholesalers with a quote bearing his TIN; one signs an e-commerce site at 2,000,000 FCFA. Commission: 240,000 FCFA. His registration paid for itself many times over on a single sale.

FAQ

Do I have to register to be a referral partner? No to start, yes to last. You can land your first sales without status, but as tickets grow a registered name and TIN remove blockers and reassure clients.

How much does CAC registration really cost? For a Business Name, expect an order of magnitude of NGN 20,000 to 30,000 in 2026, with a 1 to 3 day delay via the CAC online portal.

Business Name or Limited company for a referral partner? A Business Name is enough for a solo partner: simpler, cheaper, faster. A Limited company only makes sense if you take partners or chase large institutional contracts.

Is the TIN actually useful? Yes: it is your tax identifier, essential to invoice, open a business account and respond to a tender. Without it, many structured SMEs refuse to contract.

Can I invoice my Kolonell commissions with this status? Yes, once registered you issue compliant invoices for your commissions (75,000 FCFA on a showcase, 240,000 FCFA on an e-commerce), fully compliant with the authorities.

Become a Kolonell partner, registered and paid via Wave

Once your business is registered, the Kolonell referral program pays you on each project: 15 % + 5 % recurring on showcase sites, 12 % on e-commerce, 10 % on marketplaces, 8 % on institutional, paid via Wave or Orange Money against invoice.

Let's talk about your project. Register, join the Kolonell referral program and invoice your first commissions this quarter. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.