Business, accounting and compliance

Business setup consultancy in Cameroon: how to start and run a company here

Opesware helps entrepreneurs, diaspora Cameroonians and foreign investors start and run a business in Cameroon, from choosing the legal form to tax and CNPS registration. Ready to register? Start your company registration in Cameroon.

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In short

The best business setup consultancy in Cameroon gets your company legally running quickly and sets it up correctly for tax, payroll and accounting. Opesware, based in Douala, advises on the right legal form under OHADA law and incorporates your company within 72 hours once documents are complete, with RCCM, NIU and CNPS registration on request. Diaspora founders can register without travelling.

What you get

Legal form advice

SARL, SARLU, SAS, SA, sole proprietorship (Établissement) or branch: we explain liability, governance and running costs of each under OHADA law.

72-hour incorporation

Once your documents are complete, your company is incorporated within 72 hours, with RCCM registration and NIU tax number.

CNPS employer registration

Registration as an employer with the CNPS on request, so you can hire and declare staff from the start.

Diaspora and foreign founders

Register without travelling to Cameroon: we review your documents remotely and coordinate the formalities.

Tax, accounting and payroll setup

Tax regime, SYSCOHADA accounting, invoicing and payroll set up correctly from day one, with software if you need it.

Brand, website and IT

Logo, OAPI trademark filing, website, professional email and business software, so the new company is ready to trade.

How to start a business in Cameroon: the main steps

  1. Choose the activity, the legal form and the registered office address.
  2. Prepare the documents: identity documents of founders and managers, articles of association (statuts) and, depending on the legal form, proof of capital deposit and notarial deeds.
  3. File at the CFCE (Centre de Formalités de Création d’Entreprises), the one-stop shop for RCCM registration and the NIU.
  4. Register with the CNPS if you will employ staff.
  5. Open a bank account, set up your accounts and start meeting your tax obligations.

Opesware completes incorporation within 72 hours once your documents are complete. Start your company registration now.

Doing business in Cameroon: what investors should know

  • Cameroon is a member of OHADA: company law, SYSCOHADA accounting and commercial rules follow uniform acts shared by 17 African states.
  • The currency is the CFA franc (FCFA) of the CEMAC zone, issued by the BEAC and pegged to the euro.
  • English and French are both official languages; contracts and official documents may be in either.
  • Douala is the economic capital and main port; Yaoundé is the political capital.
  • Taxes follow the Code Général des Impôts, and employers declare staff to the CNPS.
  • Some activities need a sector licence or approval in addition to incorporation; we tell you early if yours does.

Consultation, diaspora founders and CEMAC projects

A paid consultation of 50 000 FCFA covers your legal form, documents, timeline and tax set-up; it is credited against the package if you proceed. Diaspora founders can complete the process without travelling. For Gabon, the Republic of the Congo, Chad, the Central African Republic and Equatorial Guinea, we advise and coordinate with local partners, and timelines depend on each country. Sign up and pay on the company registration page, or read our registration guide and consulting services.

How to choose the right business setup consultancy

  1. Does the consultant give you a written list of required documents and a firm timeline?
  2. Is the fee for the package stated in writing, with what it includes (RCCM, NIU, CNPS)?
  3. Can the process be completed remotely if you live abroad?
  4. Does the consultant advise honestly on the legal form and on any sector licence you need?
  5. Will they help after incorporation with tax, accounting, payroll and banking set-up?
  6. Is there an office in Cameroon you can visit or call?

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Frequently asked questions

How do I start a business in Cameroon?

Choose your legal form and registered office, prepare the founders’ documents and articles of association, file at the CFCE for RCCM and NIU, then register with the CNPS if you hire. Opesware handles the process and incorporates within 72 hours once documents are complete. Start here.

How long does it take to register a company in Cameroon?

With Opesware, incorporation is completed within 72 hours once your documents are complete. Gathering and signing the documents is usually what takes time, so we send you a precise checklist at the start.

Can a foreigner or a diaspora Cameroonian open a company in Cameroon?

Yes. OHADA company law allows foreign nationals to found and own companies, though some regulated activities require additional licences. Diaspora founders can register through Opesware without travelling. Register your company.

How much does the business setup consultation cost?

The consultation costs 50 000 FCFA and is credited against the package if you proceed. Package prices depend on the legal form and options and are shown on the company registration page.

Should I choose a SARL, a SAS or a sole proprietorship?

A sole proprietorship (Établissement) is simple but your personal assets are exposed; a SARL or SARLU limits liability and suits most small and medium businesses; a SAS offers flexible governance for investors; an SA suits larger companies. We recommend the right form during the consultation.

Can you set up a company in Gabon, Congo or Chad?

Yes, we advise and coordinate with local partners in the other CEMAC countries. The 72-hour incorporation applies to Cameroon; timelines elsewhere depend on each country’s procedures.

Available across Cameroon and CEMAC

Business, accounting and compliance

Talk to a consultant today

Tell us what you need. We reply within one working day, in English or French.

Get a free quote Register a company in 72 hours +237 670 416 238