If you're just starting your food business and you haven't yet registered it with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), you can still join Chowdeck and start selling — but with some limits until your registration is complete. This article explains what those limits are, why they exist, and how to move to full access.
What restricted access means
When you sign up without a CAC registration, we place your account on restricted access. This means:
Lifetime trading cap of ₦100,000. You can trade freely up to a total of ₦100,000 in orders. After that, you'll need to complete your business registration to keep selling.
Additional monitoring. Our team keeps a closer eye on activity from restricted accounts to make sure everything looks right.
Reminders to complete registration. We'll send you nudges along the way so you can complete your CAC registration and unlock full access.
Everything else works normally. You get the vendor app, customer discovery, delivery through our rider network, and access to support just like any other vendor.
Why we have these limits
We take the trust between vendors, customers, and Chowdeck seriously. Restricted access exists to protect that trust in three ways:
1. To protect customers ordering on Chowdeck
When a customer orders food through Chowdeck, they're trusting that the vendor is a real, accountable business. Business registration is one of the strongest signals we have that a vendor is who they say they are. Until we can verify that signal, a lower cap keeps any potential issue small while we build confidence in the account.
2. To protect other vendors from impersonation
Every so often, someone tries to set up a store on Chowdeck pretending to be a business they don't own — using another restaurant's name, photos, or menu. Restricted access gives us time and space to detect these cases before they can do real damage to the legitimate business being impersonated.
3. To protect your own business
A registered business has legal recognition, tax standing, and a clear path to resolve disputes. It also opens doors — access to business banking, loans, government programmes, and more. The limits we place on unregistered accounts aren't just about protecting Chowdeck; they nudge you toward the steps that make your business stronger and more resilient in the long run.
How to unlock full access
Getting full access is straightforward. Once your business is registered with the CAC, you can submit your details from your vendor dashboard and we'll verify them with the CAC directly. Verification usually takes under 30 seconds.
What you'll need:
Your registered business name (exactly as it appears on your CAC certificate)
Your CAC registration number
Your Tax Identification Number (TIN)
A copy of your CAC document (PDF, PNG, or JPG)
Once verified, the ₦100,000 cap is lifted and your account moves to full access. No further action needed on your side.
New to business registration in Nigeria?
The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) is the government agency that handles business registrations in Nigeria. You can register your business online at cac.gov.ng. Most food vendors qualify for the simpler Business Name Registration, which is faster and less expensive than a full Limited Liability Company. If you're not sure which is right for you, our team can point you to helpful resources — just reach out. |
Common questions
What happens when I hit the ₦100,000 cap?
Your storefront will pause and you won't be able to accept new orders until you complete your CAC registration and get verified. Any orders already in progress will complete normally. We'll send you plenty of reminders before you hit the cap so it doesn't come as a surprise.
Do the limits reset every month?
No — the ₦100,000 cap is a one-time lifetime limit that stays in place until your business is registered and verified. It doesn't reset weekly or monthly.
Can I still get paid while on restricted access?
Yes. Payouts work exactly the same way as for verified vendors. Everything you earn up to the cap is yours.
What if I already have a CAC registration but the name doesn't match?
You'll be asked to re-enter your business name exactly as it appears on your CAC certificate. Small differences — like capitalisation, extra spaces, or missing "Limited" — can cause a mismatch, so double-check the spelling against your certificate.
What if I need help?
Reach out to our support team any time through the in-app chat or by emailing [email protected]. We're here to help you get set up and selling.
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