The Democratic Republic of the Congo, or DR Congo, is a Central African country. The president is the head of state in this semi-presidential republic. The Congolese Franc (CDF) is the local currency, and French is the official language. The Democratic Republic of Congo is a member of the UN, the African Union (AU), and other international organizations. The Democratic Republic of Congo is the world’s largest producer of cobalt ore, as well as copper, diamonds, uranium, gold, silver, iron, tin, and zinc.
Most common company types
- Limited liability corporation – Société A Responsabilité Limitée (SARL)
- One-man company – Société A Responsabilité Limitée Unipersonnelle (SARLU)
- Public limited company with a board of directors – Aociété Anonyme Avec Conseil d’Administration
- Public limited company with CEO – Société Anonyme Avec Administrateur Général
- One-man public limited company – Aociété Anonyme Unipersonnelle
- Simplified corporation – Société par Action Simplifiée (SAS)
- Simplified limited partnership – Aociété en Commandite Simple (SCS)
- General partnership – Société en Nom Collectif (SNC)
- Dormant partnership – Société en Participation
- Economic interest grouping – Contrat de Groupement d’Intérêt Economique (GIE)
Registration procedure
Registration in the commercial registry is handled by the Centre for Enterprise Formation (Guichet Unique de la Création d’Entreprises). The register contains the following information: full legal names of representatives, directors, and proprietors, current status (active/inactive), kind of business, full address, and any other information. On November 1, 2012, the DRC signed a decree creating a “Guichet Unique,” a single point (“one-stop-shop”) for business development, to ease the burden of starting a business. The Guichet Unique was established in April 2013 as the only authority to complete the necessary formalities for the formation of a firm, to grant applications within three business days after receipt. The following are the basic steps and some specific requirements involved in forming a company in the DR of Congo:
- Complete the Guichet Unique or online Guichet Unique application form.
- Apply together with all essential documentation at Guichet Unique or register online.
- Request a receipt from the Guichet Unique and pay the necessary fees at a reputable bank.
- Request a registration certificate from the Trade and Personal Property Credit Register.
- The required application information for corporations are; a completed application form, four copies of the company’s charter, a Statement of Subscription (document showing shareholding structure), proof of available capital, the signature of the manager, and copies of identity documents of the business manager and shareholder;
- The required application information for sole proprietors is; a copy of the applicant’s identity document, criminal record, proof of residence, and signature.
Further information
Register with the Trade and Personal Property Credit Register to validate the company’s charter. Then, publish the company’s charter in the Official Journal, and get authorization and a business license. Corporations must pay the Guichet Unique charge of $110. Sole proprietorships must spend $40 to obtain a National Identification Number, a business registration, and permission to operate. Corporations have no minimum capital requirements. Limited liability businesses must have at least $20,000 in capital.
Investors interested in establishing a business in the DRC can get help from the National Agency for Investment Promotion (ANAPI). Investors must submit a business plan and a $1,000 fee to ANAPI to assess eligibility for incentives under the DRC’s Investment Code (which include customs duty and tax exemptions). Businesses investing less than $200,000 pay a $500 fee for the assessment. The ANAPI has 30 days to decide on an investment project, according to current legislation.
