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Cabo Verde Business Registration Guide 2026

Registering a business in Cabo Verde involves incorporation with the Conservatória do Registo Comercial (Commercial Registry), obtaining a Número de Identificação Fiscal (NIF) from DNRE, and securing any required sector-specific permits. The main business structures are Sociedade por Quotas (Lda), Sociedade Anónima (SA), Sucursal (branch of a foreign company), and sole proprietorship. The process typically takes 2–6 weeks depending on the structure. Cabo Verde TradeInvest provides investment facilitation and incentive services for foreign investors. The stable political environment and Euro-pegged currency make Cabo Verde an attractive jurisdiction for business establishment in West Africa.

Overview — Business Registration in Cabo Verde

The registration of companies in Cabo Verde is governed by the Código das Sociedades Comerciais and the Commercial Registry regulations. The Commercial Registry (Conservatória do Registo Comercial) handles company incorporation, while DNRE handles tax registration. Cabo Verde TradeInvest acts as the investment promotion agency, assisting foreign investors with registration, incentive applications, and aftercare. The government has made progress in streamlining business registration through the Empresa na Hora (Company on the Spot) programme, which can complete incorporation in a single day for standard structures. Cabo Verde is consistently ranked as one of the easier places to do business in West Africa.

Company Types Under Cabo Verdean Law

The Código das Sociedades Comerciais provides various business structures for investors:

  • Sociedade por Quotas (Lda) — most common structure, minimum 1 quota holder, no maximum, minimum capital CVE 100,000, manager (gerente) required
  • Sociedade Anónima (SA) — suitable for larger enterprises, minimum 5 shareholders (or 1 for SA Unipessoal), minimum capital CVE 5,000,000, board of directors or single administrator
  • Sucursal (Branch) — extension of a foreign company, must register with the Commercial Registry and appoint a legal representative in Cabo Verde
  • Empresário Individual (Sole Proprietorship) — individual trading under their own name
  • Cooperativa — cooperative society for mutual benefit, regulated by specific cooperative legislation

The Lda is the preferred vehicle for most small to medium-sized investors, while the SA is used for larger projects and public offerings. Foreign investors commonly use the Lda structure for its simplicity and flexibility.

Incorporation Process — Step by Step

The typical company incorporation process in Cabo Verde involves the following steps:

  • Step 1 — Name reservation — Reserve the company name with the Commercial Registry (1–2 days)
  • Step 2 — Legalisation of documents — Notarise the company statutes and other founding documents
  • Step 3 — Deposit of capital — Open a bank account and deposit the initial share capital (blocked until registration)
  • Step 4 — Commercial registration — Submit incorporation documents to the Commercial Registry
  • Step 5 — Publication — Publish a notice of incorporation in the Boletim Oficial (government gazette)
  • Step 6 — Tax registration — Obtain NIF from DNRE
  • Step 7 — Social security — Register with INPS for employee social security

The Empresa na Hora programme allows same-day incorporation at dedicated one-stop shops in Praia and Mindelo. The total cost for a standard Lda with CVE 100,000 capital is approximately CVE 50,000–100,000 including registration fees, notarial fees, and publication costs.

Cabo Verde TradeInvest Incentives

Cabo Verde TradeInvest provides investment facilitation services and administers tax and customs incentives for qualifying investments. Incentives available include:

  • Código de Investimentos — tax exemptions and reductions for qualifying investments in priority sectors (tourism, technology, renewable energy, agriculture, fisheries)
  • Free trade zones — exemptions from IRC, IVA, and customs duties for companies in designated economic zones
  • Tourism incentives — enhanced benefits for hotel and resort development, including IRC reductions and customs duty exemptions on imported equipment
  • Large project agreements — customised incentive packages for strategic investments exceeding certain thresholds

Foreign investors should register with Cabo Verde TradeInvest to access these incentives. Minimum investment thresholds apply depending on the sector and location. Given the tourism-driven economy, hospitality and services investments receive particular attention.

FAQs

Can a foreigner register a company in Cabo Verde?

Yes, foreigners may register a company in Cabo Verde without restrictions in most sectors. Certain regulated sectors (banking, insurance, media, energy, telecommunications) require specific regulatory approvals. There is no minimum capital requirement for foreign-owned Ldas beyond the standard CVE 100,000.

How long does the full registration process take?

Name reservation: 1–2 days. Incorporation via Empresa na Hora: same day. Standard incorporation: 2–4 weeks. Tax registration: 1–3 days. Total: 1 day to 4 weeks depending on the chosen method.

What are the annual compliance requirements for a Cabo Verdean company?

Annual return to the Commercial Registry, annual tax return (filed by 31 May), periodic IVA returns (monthly or quarterly), monthly PAYE returns (if employing staff), and INPS monthly returns for employee social security.

Disclaimer

This guide provides general information about business registration in Cabo Verde for 2026. Laws, fees, and procedures may change. Always consult with a qualified Cabo Verdean corporate lawyer or Cabo Verde TradeInvest for advice specific to your situation. InvestmentKit does not provide legal advice.