Starting a business in Cameroon
The one-stop business creation centres (CFCE) handle trade-register entry, tax registration and social-insurance affiliation at a single counter, with a target time of 72 hours.
Who it concerns
Anyone setting up a sole proprietorship ("établissement") or a company (private limited company SARL, public limited company SA, simplified joint-stock company SAS) governed by OHADA law.
Where to go
The one-stop business creation centres (Centres de formalités de création d'entreprises, CFCE), under the Ministry of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts. They operate in the regional capitals and several major towns; a single filing at the CFCE covers entry in the Trade and Personal Property Credit Register (RCCM), tax registration (NIU) and affiliation to the CNPS.
Documents to provide
Sole proprietorship: the promoter's identity document, a criminal record extract, proof of address or premises, and the CFCE form.
Company: articles of association (for a SARL, Cameroonian law allows a private deed; a SA requires a notarial deed), declaration of subscription and payment of capital, identity documents and criminal record extracts of the managers, proof of registered office and the CFCE forms.
Steps
- Prepare the articles and gather the documents.
- File the complete application at the competent CFCE and pay the registration fees.
- The CFCE hands you the RCCM extract, the tax registration certificate (NIU) and the CNPS affiliation certificate; the target time announced by the CFCEs is 72 working hours.
Cost
Fees vary with the legal form and the capital (registration duties, court registry fees, publication). The official schedule is displayed in each CFCE; Camerpedia only reproduces amounts published by an official source.