Licenses and permits needed to start up a business in Cameroon
Are you a Cameroonian or a
foreigner who wishes to set up a business but do not know the procedures to
take or the documents required to register your business?
Well, this write-up will explain
what it takes to register your business in Cameroon, and the documents required
to make your aspiration come to reality.
It should be noted that no
matter your nationality if you wish to engage in any commercial activity
in the form of a
company, should choose a form of company that suits the activity envisaged from
among those provided by the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law
in Africa (OHADA) Law.
This is per Article 3 of the
Uniform Act relating to Commercial Companies and Economic Interest Groups in
Cameroon.
The registration of any
business or company in Cameroon falls under two criteria. The organization in
charge of registering businesses or companies in Cameroon is the Center for
Enterprise Creation Formalities (CFCE).
The two categories are: you
could register your business either as a Sole
Proprietorship known in french as ‘ETABLISSEMENT’
or as a commercial company, specifically a Private Limited Liability Company (LTD)
formed by a natural person known in French as ‘Société à responsabilité limité’
unipersonelle (SARL) or Public Limited Liability Company (PLC, LLC, SA,).
It should be noted that the
minimum share capital to set up a private limited company is 1.000.000 (one
million) FCFA whereas that of a public limited company is 10.000.000 (ten
million) FCFA. For a sole proprietor or partnership business, there is no minimum
capital needed to set up the business.
Procedures to create a Sole Proprietorship / Etablissement
Below are the steps you need
to follow to set up your business
A. Registration in the commercial register:
The first thing to consider is
registering your business in the Commercial Court Registry. Which documents do you need to register
your business in the commercial Court Registry?
- A photocopy of your identity card or birth certificate
- A copy of your marriage certificate (for women)
- Proof of address
- A criminal record (Certificate of non-conviction)
- Your lease documents and the stamped application form obtained at the Tribunal of Commerce Registry. Fees amounting to the sum of CFA 64,000 apply.
B. Tax registration:
The next thing to do is to do your
taxpayer card at the Cameroonian Tax Center.
Documents required
- A photocopy of your identity card
- Your Trade Registration
- A business location plan and fees applied (sum CFA 1,500).
CNPS, Labor Inspectorate, and other authorities:
Once you have hired your first
employee, you will have to report to the nearest CNPS office to obtain a
registration application form.
You will also have to produce
your Commercial registration certificate, your business permit, your taxpayer's
card, your business location plan, your company's temporary and permanent
structure, as well as lease documents if you are renting the office premises.
Note that these procedures are
free of charge.
Procedures to create an LLC or PLC
Procedures for setting up a
company are similar to those of the sole proprietorship company. However, the
commercial registration process differs.
You can either do it yourself
or hire a notary. Documents required include:
- The company's name and initials
- The company's legal status
- Details on the company's activities
- The amount of the total capital invested (including the number of respective contributions)
- The head office address (addresses of branches if applicable)
- The company's activities or your appointment's duration as agreed by the founder or by the company's status
- Business partners' identity documents and personal details, date, and place of birth, nationality, date, and place of marriage if applicable, and any other information (particularly of those who are liable regarding the company's debts)
- The company's executive members' and commissionaires’ identity, date and place of birth, address, and contact information
- Any other particular legal measure.
Other documents that might be
required to complete the trade registration include:
- A certified copy of the company's statutes or founding act
- The company's regularity and conformity declaration or a notarial deed for subscription and bank transfer
- The certified list of managers, directors, officers, or partners having been declared as personally responsible or have the authority to bind the company or corporation for an indefinite period
- A sworn and signed statement certifying the company is not subject to any prohibition by law. Procedures should be completed within 75 days following the presentation of a clean criminal record or any other comparable document.
- Note that other permits may be required depending on the company's activities. You can seek all related information with competent authorities such as ministries, the Trade Register, the Labor Inspection office, etc.
Thanks for your time I hope this
article helps.
Suggested:
How to Start a Laundry Business in Cameroon. 6 Steps Needed to Start from Scratch
What Business Can I Start With 20K In Cameroon?
Top 12 Lucrative Businesses to start in Cameroon with Little or no Capital
