Doing business

The Organization for the Harmonization in Africa of Business Law (OHADA) created on October 17, 1993 in Port Louis, Mauritius is the legislation that runs different types of commercial enterprises in Cameroon. Governed by three Uniform Acts (relating to General Commercial Law, Commercial Corporate Law and EIG, and Cooperative Corporate Law).

These include:

  • Partnership Corporation (SNC)
  • Limited Partnerships (SCS)
  • Limited Liability company (SARL)
  • Public limited Companies (SA)
  • Simplified public limited Companies (SAS)
  • Sole Proprietorship (ETS)
  • Co-operatives (SCOOP)
  • Economic Interest Groups (EIG)

Recently, investors complained that business creation in Cameroon was not easy, notably due to the bottlenecks caused by the multiplicity and length of proceedings. To put an end to this situation, on 18 March 2011, the Prime Minister, Head of Government, issued an instruction for the creation of companies in Cameroon. This act, which is part of the process of improving the business environment, aims to reduce the strains faced by local and foreign economic operators wishing to invest in Cameroon.

Today, you can start your business in 72 hours in the CFCE (Business Creation Formalities Centre) in the cities of Yaounde, Douala, Bafoussam, Maroua, Limbé, Garoua, Ebolowa and Bamenda (www.cfce.cm), either by going to a reception desk or online via the https://mybusiness.cm/ link.

The documents required for the creation of a company are:

FOR INDIVIDUAL PROMOTERS 

  • A certified copy of the national identity card or birth certificate of the local promoter;
  • A copy of the passport or resident card for foreigners; 
  • An excerpt from bulletin 3 of the criminal record for nationals or a statement on honour. The statement of honour is provided by the company’s promoter. However, it is only valid for two months, the filing of the extract from the criminal record remains the regulatory formality to be carried out and whose failure to comply, at the end of this two-month period, results in the delisting of the registration of the Register of Trade and Credit Furniture;
  • An excerpt from the marriage certificate or certificate of celibacy;
  • A certificate of residence;
  • Two 4 X 4 photographs, black on white or in colour;
  • A location map;
  • A photocopy of the title and the supporting release of the payment of the property tax on the building (if the building housing the company’s head office is owned by the promoter).

FOR COMMERCIAL COMPANIES: 

  • An excerpt from bulletin 3 of the criminal record for managers, chairperson of the Board of Directors or general manager (GM) depending on whether it is a limited liability company (SARL) or a public limited company (SA), (an original copy for nationals and an excerpt from the central file and an extract from the criminal record for foreigners);
  • Minutes of the company’s constituent acts (declaration of subscription and payment, statutes);
  • Two expeditions before the registration of the company’s constituent acts; 
  • A photocopy of the title and the supporting release of the payment of the property tax on the building (if the building housing the company’s head office belongs to the developer);
  • A location map.

NB: The presentation of the lease agreement is deferred by three months from the day the developer initiates the process of creating the business.

The Industrial Zones Development and Management Authority (MAGZI) is responsible for the development and management of industrial zones throughout Cameroon. It equips the areas with all the necessary infrastructure and rents the parcels at the following rates:

Douala

Fully equipped spaces

  • Bonaberi : 680,00 F/m2/yr
  • Bassa : 480,00 F/m2/yr

Partially equipped spaces

  • Bonaberi : 484,50 F/m2/yr
Limbe
  • Ombe (Industrial Free zone) 700,00 F/m2/yr

As for the industrial zones located in the cities of Yaounde, Bafoussam, Garoua, Ngaoundéré, they are partially developed and leased at a single price of 200.00 F./m2/year.

Tariffs on low-voltage consumers are divided into two tranches, a so-called domestic slice and a so-called other use tranche.

Domestic use:

  • 50 F/kWh for monthly consumptions of 110 kWh or less.
  • 70 F./kWh for monthly consumptions between 111 kWh and 400 kWh
  • 80 F./kWh for monthly consumptions between 401 kWh and 800 kWh in the month,
  • 85 F./kWh for monthly consumptions above 800 kWh in the month.

Other Uses:

  • 75 F./kWh for monthly consumptions of 110 kWh/KVA
  • 80 F./kWh for monthly consumptions between 111 kWh and 400 kWh
  • 85 F./kWh for monthly consumptions between 401 kWh and 1,000 kWh
  • 92 F./kWh for monthly consumptions above 1,000 kWh

TRANSPORT BY LAND

Companies are allowed to apply their own tariffs

MARITIME TRANSPORT:

The operating rates of the National Ports Office of Cameroon (ONPC) are set by Order 23/MINDIC/DPPC/SDP of 21 February 1994 and include tariffs on ships, freight tariffs and specific tariffs. Freight fares are subdivided into boarding rates and landing fares. As land transport is freed, each company in the sector applies its own tariffs.

RAIL TRANSPORT

This is provided by CAMRAIL.

Wages are liberalized in the private sector. It results from a negotiation between the employer and the employee. However, the official Interprofessional Minimum Wage (SMIG) is set at 36,270 FCFA. The recommended average working time is 40 hours per week for companies in the secondary and tertiary sectors. The benefits granted to employees are: leave, accommodation, transportation and exceptional leave that is not deductible from annual leave.