If you run an import business in Nigeria and want to pay suppliers, vendors, or auction platforms abroad without the usual bank delays or payment stress, opening a business account on Clea is the first step, and the process is simple.
Before you begin, you need to get a few documents ready. You’ll need your:
- CAC Certificate
- Government-issued ID
- Business bank statement (not less than 3 months)
- Proof of business address
- Memorandum & Articles of Association (MEMART)
Step 1: Getting Started
Visit tryclea.com and click Get Started, or open the Clea app and tap Get Started.
When prompted to choose an account type, select Business.
Enter the business representative’s first name, last name, phone number, and email. Make sure the name matches the government-issued ID you’ll be uploading later.
Tap Continue.
Step 2: Email Verification
A 6-digit code will be sent to your email. Check your inbox, enter the code, and your email is verified.
Step 3: Set a Password
Next, create a password for your account. Skip anything obvious, like your business name, birthdays, or simple number sequences. Here’s a quick refresher for creating a strong password.
Step 4: Fill in Your Business Details
Enter your registered business name and registration number exactly as they appear on your CAC. Enter your TIN and company email along with other requested information.
Every field must match your official records.
Important: If you’re going to be paying Copart and IAA, make sure the business name you register with matches the business name on your Copart and IAA profiles. If they don’t match, you would not be able to make payments.
Double-check your information before you tap Continue.
You’ll also upload your supporting business documents here: your CAC certificate, Memorandum & Articles of Association, a recent bank statement, and a sample invoice.
Take your time to upload clear, complete copies.
Step 5: Provide Your Business Address
Enter your registered business address, then upload a proof of address dated within the last 3 months. A utility bill or tenancy agreement works well, as long as your business name appears on it.
Step 6: Verify Your Identity
You’ll need to provide your date of birth and upload a valid proof of ID.
Choose one of two ID options:
- International passport: enter the passport number and upload a clear photo of the bio-data page.
- NIN: enter the 11-digit number and upload a photo of your NIN slip or card.
Next, you’ll be asked to take a selfie holding your ID. For the clearest shot:
- Stand near a window for natural light, or find a well-lit spot
- Remove hats, sunglasses, or face masks
- Hold your phone steady and keep your face centred
- Hold the ID close to your face, but don’t let it cover any part of your face
Once uploaded, click on Submit, and you’ll see a confirmation screen.
Your business application will be reviewed within 1 to 3 working days. You’ll get a notification as soon as your account is approved.
A quick tip: The biggest cause of delays isn’t missing documents, it’s unclear ones. Before you upload, use a clear, well-lit photo taken with your phone. Scanned images don’t hold up well in review. Check that every corner of each document is visible, there’s no glare, and the text is easy to read.
Once your account is approved, you can fund your wallet, convert Naira to USD, and start paying suppliers and vendors abroad seamlessly.
Run into an issue during signup? Email [email protected], and the team will help you out.
Frequently Asked Questions
My ID verification failed. What should I do?
First, check that the details you entered match your ID exactly, including spelling, date of birth, and ID number. Then confirm your upload is a clear, well-lit photo (not a scan), with no glare or blur. If it still fails, try uploading a different valid ID, for example, switch from NIN to an international passport or vice versa. If the issue persists, contact [email protected] with your registered email and a description of the problem.
I can’t remember my BVN and NIN. How can I retrieve them?
To retrieve your BVN, dial *565*0# on the phone number linked to your bank account. It works on all networks and costs around ₦20.
To retrieve your NIN, dial *346# from the phone number you used during NIN enrollment. You’ll receive your 11-digit NIN via SMS.
If USSD doesn’t work, you can also visit the nearest NIMC enrollment centre with a valid form of identification to retrieve your NIN.
I started the signup process but didn’t finish. What should I do?
Simply return to the app or tryclea.com and log in with the email and password you created. You’ll be taken back to where you left off so you can continue your business registration without starting over.
Why should I open a Clea account for my import business?
Opening a Clea business account gives you a faster, cheaper way to pay suppliers or auction platforms abroad. Banks often have low dollar limits and poor FX rates, and using agents is risky since many end up scamming importers out of their money. With Clea, you pay your supplier directly in USD at a fair rate, with no middleman, and in your business name, which means lower costs, zero delays, and full control over your payments.
