Ivory Coast Company Registration- the Complete Process
The West African country of Côte d’Ivoire, or Ivory Coast, is a beautiful and exciting place to start a business. As agricultural and industrial activities pick up, the 2023 forecast for its gross domestic product (GDP) is approximately USD74.29 billion. Foreign direct investments (FDIs) also show positive growth, especially in the gold and oil industries. It’s the perfect time to consider Ivory Coast company registration to kickstart your entrepreneurial ventures.
Type of Business Entities in Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast allows businesspeople to choose from various types of businesses. The most popular ones include the following:
- Limited Liability Company (LLC): known as the Société à Responsabilité Limitée (SARL), it requires a minimum of one shareholder and director.
- Public Limited Company (PLC): the Société Anonyme (SA) has a minimum capital than the SARL and requires one shareholder and three directors.
- Sole Proprietorship: the Entreprise Individuelle only requires registration with the relevant authorities.
Other types of business entities include the following:
- Branch Office (Succursale)
- Representative Office (Bureau de Liaison)
- Joint Stock or Joint Venture Companies (Association et Participation)
- Limited Partnership (Société en Commandite Simple)
- General Partnership (Société en nom Collectif)
Company Registration Process in Ivory Coast
It is important to note that most Ivory Coast company registration procedures require proficiency in the French language. Engaging professional enterprise solution providers will ensure that the entire process goes smoothly.
Currently, the Government has a central registration process known as the Center for the Promotion of Investments in Côte d’Ivoire. The CEPICI offers a one-stop office to register or incorporate your company. Facilities include notary services, company incorporation and dissolution, business licence application, and others.
You will need to fill out the registration form and submit it to CEPICI with relevant documentation, including:
- Shareholders’, directors’, or owners’ information and IDs
- Location, business and registered addresses
- Residence and business localisation certificates
- Notary drafts, bank accounts, company seals, etc.
Regardless of the business entity, you must register with the state Commercial Registry within a month of starting the trade. You will need to submit copies of the constitutional documents, the director’s, or manager’s information, etc. Tax registration includes the submission of a Declaration of Commencement of Business with the relevant authorities.
Modern Enterprise Solutions
Starting a business in West Africa opens up limitless possibilities for the discerning entrepreneur. We offer customisation and world-class service for all your modern entrepreneurial needs. Our business incorporation packages provide a one-stop solution for the most reliable Ivory Coast company registration. Contact us today and speak to our team of professionals for unique 21st-century business solutions.