The verdict in three sentences
The APIX promise of 48 to 72 hours is true, but it only counts processing once your file is complete and filed. In practice, between drafting articles, a possible notary visit, depositing capital at the bank and publication, the real median timeline is more like 5 to 15 days. The secret to staying near 72 hours is preparing every document upfront using a step-by-step table.
The promise vs the reality on the ground
APIX (the one-stop shop) genuinely shortened company creation in Senegal. A sole proprietorship or a notary-free SUARL can come out in 2 to 3 working days. But as soon as you need notarized articles (SARL), a capital deposit or a business address to formalize, each step adds its own often-underestimated delay.
| Structure type | Advertised APIX timeline | Real median timeline 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Sole proprietorship | 24 to 48 h | 2 to 5 days |
| SUARL (no notary) | 48 to 72 h | 3 to 8 days |
| SARL (with notary) | 72 h | 7 to 15 days |
| GIE | 72 h | 3 to 7 days |
Step-by-step route: timeline, cost, required document
This table is the antidote to back-and-forth. Prepare each row before showing up at the counter.
| Step | Timeline | Cost (order of magnitude) | Required document |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drafting the articles | 1 to 3 days | 0 to 150,000 FCFA (notary if SARL) | Signed draft articles |
| Capital deposit at the bank | 1 to 5 days | Account maintenance fees | Deposit certificate |
| M0 form (declaration) | 1 day | Included | Manager's ID |
| RCCM registration | 24 to 72 h | ~25,000 FCFA base | Articles + M0 + address |
| NINEA assignment | 24 to 48 h | Included | RCCM file |
| IPRES / CSS registration | 2 to 5 days | Variable | RCCM + NINEA |
| Legal publication | 1 to 3 days | 10,000 to 30,000 FCFA | Notice of incorporation |
The base official fees run around 25,000 FCFA. But the realistic total budget, including notary, business address and publication, rises to 100,000 to 300,000 FCFA depending on the legal form chosen.
Why these timelines and costs matter for an introducer
A Kolonell business introducer who gets structured gains credibility with clients and can invoice commissions cleanly. Scale reminder:
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| Pole | Sale commission | Recurring |
|---|---|---|
| Showcase site | 15% | 5% |
| E-commerce | 12% | — |
| Marketplace | 10% | — |
| Institutional | 8% | — |
A single e-commerce signed at 2,000,000 FCFA earns 240,000 FCFA in commission: enough to fully cover your structure's setup cost from the very first sale.
Mini case study
Ibrahim, a future introducer in Rufisque, wants to open a SUARL before starting. He thinks he'll do it in 72 hours. In reality: articles (2 days), account opening and capital deposit (4 days), RCCM/NINEA file (3 days), publication (2 days). Total: 11 working days and a budget of 160,000 FCFA (articles 60,000, APIX fees 30,000, business address 40,000, publication 20,000, misc 10,000). By anticipating all documents, he could have compressed it to 6 days.
FAQ
Is the 72-hour timeline a lie? No, it is real for processing a complete file alone. But the end-to-end timeline, preparation included, is more like 5 to 15 days depending on the structure.
What is the minimum official cost? Base official fees run around 25,000 FCFA. The realistic total with notary, business address and publication rises to 100,000 to 300,000 FCFA.
Is the notary mandatory? For a SARL with notarized articles, yes (50,000 to 150,000 FCFA). For a SUARL or sole proprietorship you can often skip it and save several days.
What slows files down the most? Opening the bank account and depositing capital, plus missing documents that trigger back-and-forth. Prepare everything before filing.
Should I register with IPRES and CSS from the start? If you will employ staff, yes. For a solo introducer with no employees, this step can wait, but the NINEA and RCCM are essential.
Let's talk about your project. We'll point you to the right structure and schedule to start as a Kolonell introducer. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
