Registering a Company: CAC Nigeria vs eCitizen Kenya, Cost & Time (2026)

The verdict in three sentences

One-stop shops have transformed company registration across Africa: CAC Nigeria issues an RC number in 1 to 2 weeks for 20,000 to 50,000 NGN, while eCitizen Kenya does it in 1 to 5 days for 10,000 to 20,000 KES. The real cost is not registration but annual accounting (roughly 300,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA equivalent) and choosing the right legal form. Register online, collect your certificate and tax ID, then budget accounting support from month one.

CAC, eCitizen and the francophone one-stop shops compared

Every country has industrialized its registration portal. Here are 2026 orders of magnitude for a small company (Ltd / SARL equivalent).

The francophone one-stop shops are fastest for a standard Ltd; the anglophone portals have caught up but keep slightly longer timelines for incorporated entities.

Legal form, capital and hidden costs

The registration fee doesn't tell the whole story. The legal form and accounting support weigh far more on year one.

To test an idea, sole proprietorship is enough. To raise funds, sign with large accounts or launch a platform, a limited company protects your personal assets and reassures banks.

The link to your digital project

Once registered, your company needs a credible online presence. This is where a Kolonell referral partner comes in: by introducing your need (showcase, e-commerce or marketplace) to Kolonell, a partner earns a 10-to-15 % commission on the signed project — 15 % + 5 % recurring on a showcase site, 12 % for e-commerce, 10 % for marketplace, 8 % for institutional. Many accountants and business-formation advisors become referral partners, because they naturally point new clients toward a professional site.

Mini case study

Ibrahim registers his consulting Ltd on eCitizen Kenya in 48 h for 15,000 KES. His accountant charges roughly 600,000 FCFA/year equivalent for support. That accountant is a Kolonell partner: he introduces Ibrahim for a Growth showcase site at 500,000 FCFA. The accountant earns 15 %, i.e. 75,000 FCFA, plus 5 % recurring on the 40,000 FCFA/month maintenance (2,000 FCFA/month). Ibrahim gets a registered company AND a professional site in under two weeks, at a controlled total cost.

FAQ

Which portal is fastest in 2026? eCitizen Kenya (1-5 days) is quicker than CAC Nigeria (1-2 weeks) for incorporation, while francophone CEPICI often issues within 24-72 h. All allow partly or fully online registration.

Is minimum capital required for a limited company? It varies by country and form. Historically around 100,000 FCFA equivalent in OHADA, but reforms have eased the requirement. Check the current figure with the portal.

What does year one really cost? Beyond registration (10,000-50,000 in local currency), budget mainly for accounting: 300,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA equivalent/year for a limited company. That's the dominant item.

Sole proprietor or limited company? Sole proprietorship is simpler and cheaper to test an idea; a limited company caps your liability and reassures banks and large accounts. Choose based on your funding ambition.

Can I earn a commission by pointing new businesses to a website? Yes, through the Kolonell referral program: 15 % + 5 % recurring on a showcase, up to 8-10 % on large tickets. Ideal for accountants and advisors.

Let's talk about your project. From registration to a live site, Kolonell supports new businesses — and rewards those who introduce them. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.