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Starting a company · All modes

Register a company in an EAC member state

Each EAC member state has its own company registration procedure, usually through a national business registry or the one-stop shop of the investment promotion agency. The general steps are similar across member states, but timelines, costs and platforms vary.

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Up to date Validated on
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Data status
Indicative To be verified

Who it is for

Entrepreneurs wishing to set up a company in an EAC member state

Before you start

  • Have an available company name

Steps

4 steps, in order

  1. Step 1 : Name search and reservation

    Institution
    Rwanda Development Board (RDB)
    Channel
    Online
    Time
    Not communicated
    Cost
    Not communicated

    In Kenya this is done via the eCitizen portal of the Business Registration Service; in Rwanda via RDB's one-stop shop; in Uganda via the Uganda Registration Services Bureau. The exact entry point depends on the chosen member state.

    Complete this step online (opens in a new tab)

  2. Step 2 : Filing of statutes and registration

    Institution
    Rwanda Development Board (RDB)
    Channel
    Online
    Time
    Not communicated
    Cost
    Not communicated

    The statutes and information on shareholders and directors are submitted to the registration authority, which issues a certificate of incorporation.

  3. Step 3 : Tax registration

    Institution
    Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA)
    Channel
    Online
    Time
    Not communicated
    Cost
    Not communicated

    The company registers with the national revenue authority (for example RRA in Rwanda, KRA in Kenya, URA in Uganda) to obtain a tax identification number.

  4. Step 4 : Social security affiliation and local permits

    Channel
    At the counter
    Time
    Not communicated
    Cost
    Not communicated

    Depending on the activity, the company affiliates with the applicable social security schemes and obtains any required local operating permits.

Process diagram

Download the BPMN file

Each lane is an institution. Steps read from left to right, in order.

Process steps

  1. Name search and reservation RDB · Online
  2. Filing of statutes and registration RDB · Online
  3. Tax registration RRA · Online
  4. Social security affiliation and local permits Operator · At the counter

  • Obtain an EAC Certificate of Origin

    The East African Community (EAC) Certificate of Origin certifies that goods meet the common market's rules of origin, allowing preferential (duty-free) treatment on trade between member states. It is issued by the designated authority in each member state, usually the national chamber of commerce or the revenue authority.

    Exporting

Sources and versions

Sources 2
  1. 01

    Rwanda Development Board, business registration (new tab), RDB

    Accessed on

  2. 02

    eCitizen, Kenya business registration (new tab), Government of Kenya

    Accessed on

This sheet is based on the public sources cited. It does not replace the official texts or the decisions of the competent administrations.