Equatorial Guinea Business Registration Guide 2026

Overview — Business Registration in Equatorial Guinea

The Centro de Formalidades de Empresas (CFE) under the Ministry of Commerce is the one-stop shop for company registration. The OHADA (Organisation pour l'Harmonisation en Afrique du Droit des Affaires) Uniform Act provides the legal framework for company law across 17 African countries including Equatorial Guinea. The CFE handles all formalities including company registration, statistical registration, tax registration, and social security registration in a single submission. Registration can be completed online. The use of the OHADA framework ensures consistency with other member states. Spanish and French are the official languages for business documents.

Company Types Under OHADA Law

The OHADA Uniform Act provides various business structures for investors:

• SARL/SL (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada) — the most common structure for SMEs. Minimum 1 shareholder, maximum 50. Minimum capital XAF 1,000,000. Manager need not be a shareholder
• SA (Sociedad Anónima) — used for larger businesses. Minimum 1 shareholder. Minimum capital XAF 10,000,000. Must have a board of directors. Statutory auditor required
• SAS (Sociedad por Acciones Simplificada) — a flexible structure with minimum 1 shareholder. No minimum capital. Suitable for subsidiaries of foreign groups and startups
• Branch (Sucursal) — extension of a foreign company without separate legal personality. Must register with CFE and obtain a NIF

For most foreign investors, the SARL/SL is the preferred vehicle due to its simplicity and limited liability protection.

Incorporation Process — Step by Step

The typical company incorporation process involves the following steps:

• Step 1 — Name reservation — Submit proposed company names to CFE. Processing time 1–2 days
• Step 2 — Draft documents — Articles of Association drafted by a notary or lawyer, signed by all shareholders
• Step 3 — Capital deposit — Deposit the initial share capital in a blocked bank account
• Step 4 — Registration at CFE — Submit the application to CFE with required documents. Processing time 1–2 weeks
• Step 5 — Publication — Publish a notice of incorporation in a legal gazette
• Step 6 — RCCM registration — CFE registers the company with the Registry of Commerce and issues the NIF

The total cost for a standard SARL is approximately XAF 500,000–1,000,000.

Tax & Social Registration

After receiving the company registration certificate, the business is automatically registered for tax (NIF) through the CFE one-stop shop. The tax registration includes obtaining the NIF, registration for corporate income tax (IS), registration for VAT (TVA) if annual turnover will exceed XAF 50,000,000, and registration for IRPP withholding (employer obligations). Social security registration with INSESO is a separate step, required within 8 days of hiring the first employee.

Business Permits & Sectoral Licences

Depending on the business sector, additional permits and licences may be required:

• Commercial operating permit — from the Ministry of Commerce for all trading activities
• Oil & gas licence — from the Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons for extractive activities, governed by production-sharing contracts
• Environmental impact assessment — for manufacturing, mining, and other high-impact activities
• Financial services licence — from the Bank of Central African States (BEAC)
• Import/export licence — from the Ministry of Commerce for international trade

Foreign investors should register with the investment promotion agency for assistance with permits, tax incentives, and investment guarantees. Sector-specific investment codes offer additional benefits including tax holidays for qualifying investments.

FAQs

Can a foreigner register a company in Equatorial Guinea?

Yes, foreigners may register a company. There is no minimum local ownership requirement for most sectors. However, certain regulated sectors may require Equatorial Guinean majority ownership.

How long does the full registration process take?

Total: 2–6 weeks with professional assistance. The CFE has expedited services for an additional fee, reducing the process to 1–2 weeks.

What are the annual compliance requirements?

Annual return to RCCM, annual tax return by 30 April, monthly VAT returns (if registered), monthly INSESO returns, and audited financial statements for larger companies.

Disclaimer

This guide provides general information about business registration in Equatorial Guinea for 2026. Laws, fees, and procedures may change. Always consult with a qualified Equatorial Guinean corporate lawyer or the Centro de Formalidades de Empresas for advice specific to your situation. InvestmentKit does not provide legal advice.