How do I register a SARL in Kinshasa, and what documents and fees should I prepare?

Hi.

To formalize your small trading business and open a business bank account in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), you generally need to follow these steps and comply with certain requirements:

1. 
   

   Registering the Business:

   
   
   
   
   • You must register your business with the Guichet Unique de Création d’Entreprise (GUCE), which is the one-stop shop for business registration in DRC.
   
   
   • This registration includes obtaining a business registration number (NIF - Numéro d’Identification Fiscale) 
   
   
   • You will also need to register with the Commercial Registry (Registre de Commerce).
   
   
   
   


2. 
   

   Local Address:

   
   
   
   
   • Yes, you typically need to provide a local business address in the DRC as part of the registration process. This is where official correspondence will be sent.
   
   
   
   


3. 
   

   Statutes (Bylaws):

   
   
   
   
   • You will need to draft and submit your business statutes or bylaws (statuts), which outline the structure, purpose, and rules of your company. This is especially important if you are registering a company rather than a sole proprietorship.
   
   
   
   


4. 
   

   Proof of Capital:

   
   
   
   
   • Depending on the type of business entity you choose (e.g., SARL, SA), you may need to provide proof of initial capital. For small trading businesses, if you register as a sole proprietorship, this might not be required, but for companies, there is usually a minimum capital requirement.
   
   
   • The capital can be deposited in a bank account or shown through other means as proof.
   
   
   
   


5. 
   

   Other Registrations:

   
   
   
   
   • You may also need to register for tax purposes with the tax authorities.
   
   
   • Depending on your business activities, you might need additional licenses or permits.
   
   
   
   


6. 
   

   Opening a Business Bank Account:

   
   
   
   
   • Banks will require your business registration documents, proof of address, identification documents, and sometimes your statutes and proof of capital.
   
   
   • Having your business properly registered and documented is essential to open a business bank account.
   
   
   
   

Thanks