Phase 1: Meta Business Portfolio

The Meta Business Portfolio (formerly Business Manager) is the central hub where you manage your business assets.

• You can create your Meta Business Portfolio through Siteti, which helps Nigerian businesses handle the setup process.
• Or go to business.facebook.com/overview and create a Meta Business Portfolio yourself.
• Use your real registered business name - the same name on your CAC documents.
• Use a professional work email (for example: admin@yourcompany.com, not a personal email).
• This portfolio becomes the central place where Meta stores your business assets like pages, ad accounts and WhatsApp.

Complete Business Info:

• Your legal business name exactly as it appears on your CAC certificate.
• Your full business address (the same address on your utility bill).
• Your company website (for example: https://yourbusiness.com).
• Your business registration number of tax ID.

Phase 2: WhatsApp Business Account (WABA)

The WABA is the actual messaging account that lives inside your Meta Business Portfolio.

• Create your WhatsApp Business API account through Siteti, which helps Nigerian businesses handle the technical setup.
• Alternatively, you can create it directly inside Meta Business Suite, but this process is more technical.
• The WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) is the system that actually sends and receives WhatsApp messages for your business.

The "Clean" Number Rule

• You must use a phone number that is not currently being used on the normal WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app.
• If the number is already active on WhatsApp, open the app, go to Settings -> Account -> Delete My Account.
• Once the account is deleted, the WhatsApp API system can claim that number for your business.

Display Name Rules

• Your WhatsApp display name must clearly represent your business (for example: "Yefepere Support").
• Do not add emojis, marketing phrases, or unnecessary words.
• Avoid writing names in full capital letters like "BEST DELIVERY COMPANY".

Phase 3: Verification & Identity

Meta uses a tiered verification system to confirm the identity of your business.


Business Verification

• Go to Security Center in Business Settings.
• Click Start Verification
• Upload Certificate of Incorporation
• Use a professional work email (for example: admin@yourcompany.com, not a personal email).
• Upload Utility Bill or Bank Startment

Benefits

Verification allows you to scale messaging limits and apply for the WhatsApp Green Tick.
Two-Factor Authentication

Mandatory for all API accounts. You must create a 6-digit PIN in WhatsApp Manager.

Mandatory CAC Documents

• Certificate of Incorporation (RC Number)
• Business Name Registration Certificate (BN Number)
• Status Report / Particulars of Directors (CAC7)
• Utility bill showing business name and address
• Bank statement (last 3 months)

Personal IDs such as NIN, Voter's Card, or Passport verify the admin but do not verify the business entity.

Character-for-Character Matching

• Business name must match CAC documents exactly
• "LTD" must not be replaced with "LIMITED"
• Business address must match utility bill
• Website footer must display legal name and address

WABA Setup Flow

• Ensure phone number is not active on WhatsApp
• If active, delete the account inside the app
• Add phone number in WhatsApp Accounts in Meta Suite
• Enter display name (example: "Yefepere Support")
• Verify using SMS or Phone Call OTP

For Nigerian phone numbers, the Phone Call verification option is often more reliable than SMS.