Business entities in Cameroon in 2023

Healy Consultants offers our Clients the best corporate structures in Cameroon to support their international business. There are several ways of doing business in Cameroon, the most common being the setting up of a limited liability company (SARL). Investors can also establish a public limited company (SA). Alternatively, foreign companies have the option of setting up a branch office or a representative office.

The Cameroon limited liability company (SARL)

• The Cameroon SARL is the most common legal entity used by entrepreneurs to setup SMEs in Cameroon. A SARL must appoint at least 1 resident director and 1 shareholder of any nationality. The shareholder can either be an individual or a body corporate. A minimum paid-up share capital of US$1,900 is also required to complete the incorporation process;
• This entity must appoint a statutory auditor to check its accounts only if i) the registered capital exceeds US$19,000 ii) annual turnover exceeds US$477,000 or iii) the company employs more than 50 staff.

The Cameroon public limited company (SA)

• The Cameroon SA requires at least 1 shareholder and 1 resident director of any nationality to be incorporated. The shareholder can either be an individual or a legal entity and can be resident of any country. A minimum paid-up share capital of US$19,000 is required to complete Cameroon company setup. A higher share capital of US$190,000 is however required after Cameroon business setup, if the company intends to be publicly listed;
• A Cameroon public limited company must also appoint 2 auditors for the purpose of verifying the company’s accounts. If listed in the Douala Stock Exchange market, an SA must appoint 2 additional auditors.

The Cameroon branch (succursale)

• Foreign companies may open branches of their foreign legal entities in Cameroon. The branch can enter in all lines of business in Cameroon, although its scope of operations must be previously defined by its parent company. The branch must appoint at least one resident director, of any nationality, to oversee the company’s operations in Cameroon;
• A branch may only be operational for a maximum period of 2 years after which it must be fully incorporated as a limited company in Cameroon. Operations as a branch can however only be renewed every two years, provided approval has been granted by the Ministry of Trade and Commerce.

The Cameroon representative office (bureau de liaison)

Although 100% foreign ownership of a representative office is allowed, it is not considered a legal entity and is not allowed to conduct any direct sales in Cameroon. This entity is only permitted to engage in i) market research and ii) to promote the parent company’s activities.

Comparison table between Cameroon business entities