Senegal Business Registration Guide 2026

Overview — Business Registration in Senegal

The registration of companies in Senegal is governed by the OHADA Uniform Act on Commercial Companies and the Senegalese Commercial Code. The one-stop shop for business registration is the Centre de Formalités des Entreprises (CFE), which streamlines the process across multiple agencies. APIX acts as the investment promotion agency, assisting foreign investors with registration and incentive applications. Senegal has made significant progress in improving the ease of doing business, with most registration steps available through the CFE online portal and the Guichet Unique.

Company Types Under OHADA

The OHADA Uniform Act provides various business structures for investors:

• SARL (Société à Responsabilité Limitée) — most common structure, minimum 1 associate, maximum 100, minimum capital XOF 1,000,000, manager (gérant) required
• SA (Société Anonyme) — suitable for larger enterprises, minimum 1 shareholder (SASU for single shareholder), minimum capital XOF 10,000,000, board of directors or single administrator
• SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée) — flexible structure for subsidiaries of foreign companies, minimum 1 shareholder, minimum capital XOF 5,000,000
• Branch (Succursale) — extension of a foreign company, must register with RCCM and appoint a legal representative in Senegal
• Sole proprietorship (Entreprise Individuelle) — individual trading under their own name

The SARL is the preferred vehicle for most small to medium-sized investors, while the SAS is popular for foreign subsidiaries due to its flexibility.

Incorporation Process — Step by Step

The typical company incorporation process in Senegal involves the following steps:

• Step 1 — Legalisation of documents — Notarise the company statutes and other founding documents
• Step 2 — Deposit of capital — Open a bank account and deposit the initial share capital (blocked until registration)
• Step 3 — Registration with CFE — Submit incorporation documents to the Centre de Formalités des Entreprises (CFE) for registration with RCCM
• Step 4 — Publication — Publish a notice of incorporation in a legal gazette (Journal d'Annonces Légales)
• Step 5 — Tax registration — Obtain NIF from DGID (processed through CFE)
• Step 6 — Social security — Register with IPRES and CSS for employee social security

The total cost for a standard SARL with XOF 1,000,000 capital is approximately XOF 500,000–1,000,000 including notarial fees, registration fees, and publication costs.

APIX Investment Incentives

APIX (Agence Nationale pour la Promotion des Investissements et des Grands Travaux) provides investment facilitation services and administers tax and customs incentives for qualifying investments. Incentives available include:

• Code des Investissements — tax exemptions and reductions for qualifying investments in priority sectors (agriculture, manufacturing, technology, tourism)
• Free trade zones — exemptions from IS, TVA, customs duties for companies in designated export processing zones
• Regional investment zones — enhanced incentives for investments outside the Dakar region
• Large project agreements — customised incentive packages for strategic investments exceeding XOF 5 billion

Foreign investors should register with APIX to access these incentives. Minimum investment thresholds apply depending on the sector and zone.

FAQs

Can a foreigner register a company in Senegal?

Yes, foreigners may register a company in Senegal without restrictions in most sectors. Certain regulated sectors (banking, insurance, media, defence) require specific approvals. There is no minimum capital requirement for foreign-owned SARLs, though XOF 1,000,000 is standard.

How long does the full registration process take?

Name reservation: 1–2 days. Incorporation: 2–4 weeks. Tax registration: 1–3 days. Total: 3–6 weeks with professional assistance. The CFE offers expedited processing for an additional fee.

What are the annual compliance requirements for a Senegalese company?

Annual return to RCCM (filed by 30 April), annual tax return (filed by 30 April), monthly TVA returns (if registered), monthly PAYE returns (if employing staff), and IPRES/CSS monthly returns.

Disclaimer

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