Business entities in Swaziland in 2024
Healy Consultants team of professionals will assist our Clients with incorporating the best optimal corporate structure befitting our Client’s preferred venture. There are various ways of doing business in Swaziland, the most common being the setting up of an LLC. Alternatively, foreign entrepreneurs can also incorporate a PLC, a Branch office or a Representative office.
The Swaziland limited liability company
- The Swaziland LLC is commonly incorporated by entrepreneurs for setting up an SME. This entity can be setup with 1 director and 1 shareholder, both of whom can be non-resident foreign nationals. Furthermore, share capital of only US$1 will be required to complete the setup procedures;
- An LLC will only be required to appoint an auditor if i) the number of shareholders in the company exceed 5 and ii) the share capital exceeds US$3.4 million;
The Swaziland public limited company
- This Swaziland business setup is recommended when the promoters intend to publicly list the company. This entity can be setup with 7 shareholders and 2 directors, all of whom can be non-resident foreign nationals. Furthermore, share capital of only US$1 will be required to complete the setup procedures;
- Unlike an LLC, a PLC is required to appoint an auditor within 30 days from receiving the approval to start the business operations;
The Swaziland branch
Swaziland Corporate law allows 100% ownership on branches of foreign companies incorporated in the Kingdom. The range of operations for this particular entity will be determined by the Swazi corporate laws. Additionally, the branch office will have an independent management team and a corporate bank account in Swaziland.
The Swaziland representative office
While the Swaziland representative office can be 100% foreign owned, it is not allowed to make any direct sales with Swaziland. Consequently, this entity can only engage in i) market research and ii) promoting the business of the parent company.
| LLC | PLC | Branch office | Rep office | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How long to set the company up? | 8 weeks | 12 weeks | 10 weeks | 8 weeks |
| How long to open company bank account? | 4 weeks | 4 weeks | 4 weeks | 4 weeks |
| Legal liability? | Limited | Limited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Wholly foreign owned? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum capital required? | US$1 | US$1 | NA | NA |
| File annual tax return? | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Tax registration certificate required? | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Recommended corporate bank account? | Standard Bank | First National Bank | NedBank | SwaziBank |
| Does our Client need to travel? | No | No | No | No |
| Resident director required? | No | No | No | No |
| Resident shareholder required? | No | No | No | No |
| Minimum directors allowed? | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Minimum shareholders? | 1 | 7 | NA | NA |
| Tax identification code (TIN) needed? | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Swaziland resident company secretary required? | No | No | No | No |
| Corporate shareholders allowed? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Corporate director(s) allowed? | No | Yes | No | No |
| Swaziland corporate tax rate? | 28% | 28% | 28% | 0% |
| Annual financial statements required? | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Statutory audit required? | No | Yes | No | No |
| Regulated by? | Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Trade | Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Trade | Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Trade | Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Trade |
| Allowed to issue sales invoices? | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Allowed to sign contracts? | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Allowed to import and export goods? | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Can rent an office space in Swaziland? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Can buy Swaziland property? | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Can own equity in other Swaziland companies? | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Total Swaziland business setup costs in Yr. 1 | US$15,800 | US$18,800 | US$18,300 | US$21,300 |
| Subsequent annual costs (incl. accounting and tax fee) | US$4,200 | US$5,450 | US$6,700 | US$7,950 |
| Sample engagement invoice | View invoice PDF | View invoice PDF | View invoice PDF | View invoice PDF |
