Some 60,000 Senegalese living in France wire more than EUR 600 million home each year, yet barely 4% turn that flow into a structured business. The blocker is no longer administrative: since 2024, APIX lets you incorporate remotely in under 72 hours for XOF 25,000. This guide maps the full journey, from picking the legal form to your first Wise transfer to Dakar.
TL;DR
- Online SUARL setup via APIX: XOF 25,000, 72 hours, no travel
- SUARL minimum capital: XOF 100,000 (~EUR 152), fully paid-up
- Local agent required: lawyer, accountant or Kolonell provider
- Bank: SGBS, Ecobank, Orabank open accounts on notarised power of attorney
- 1974 France-Senegal tax treaty: no double taxation on dividends
Choosing the right legal form from Paris
Almost all diaspora projects settle on a SUARL (Single-Member LLC) or a standard SARL. SUARL works when you are the sole shareholder — 92% of diaspora cases. SARL fits as soon as a cousin, sibling or investor joins the cap table.
Quick structure comparison
| Form | Min capital | Members | Corporate tax | Typical diaspora case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUARL | XOF 100,000 | 1 | 30% | Solo, e-commerce, consulting |
| SARL | XOF 100,000 | 2 to 50 | 30% | Family, co-founders |
| SAS-style SA | XOF 10M | 1+ | 30% | Fundraising planned |
| Sole proprietor | 0 | 1 | Income tax | Freelance, micro income |
Avoid the sole proprietorship: your French personal assets stay on the line, which turns into a nightmare in case of litigation.
The online APIX flow, step by step
APIX (Investment and Major Works Promotion Agency) runs the online Business Creation Bureau at creation.apix.sn.
- Step 1 — Trade name reservation on apix.sn, XOF 5,000, validated within 24 hours.
- Step 2 — Drafting the articles (APIX template or lawyer ~XOF 150,000).
- Step 3 — Online filing: articles, ID or passport, Senegal address proof (the local agent provides theirs), signed power of attorney.
- Step 4 — Pay XOF 25,000 via Wave Business or SGBS wire.
- Step 5 — Simultaneous delivery: NINEA, RCCM, Approved Management Centre, tax compliance. Turnaround 72 hours.
The role of the local agent
The agent is your company's physical address in Senegal. Three options: lawyer (XOF 200,000/year), accountant (XOF 300,000/year with services), or Kolonell domiciliation (XOF 100,000/year + mail scan).
Opening a bank account without flying to Dakar
This is the most fragile step. Senegalese banks historically demand the manager's physical presence. Since 2025, three banks accept remote opening with a notarised, embassy-legalised power of attorney.
Diaspora-friendly banks in 2026
| Bank | Setup fee | Pro current account | Visa card | Lead time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SGBS | XOF 50,000 | XOF 8,000/month | Yes | 10 days |
| Ecobank | XOF 35,000 | XOF 6,500/month | Yes Pan-African | 7 days |
| Orabank | XOF 40,000 | XOF 7,000/month | Yes | 12 days |
| BOA | XOF 45,000 | XOF 7,500/month | Yes | 10 days |
The power of attorney must be legalised at the Senegal Embassy in Paris (32 rue Léon Vaudoyer, 75007) — count EUR 60 and 5 business days.
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France-Senegal cross-border taxation
The 29 March 1974 bilateral treaty, amended in 2020, frames the taxation. Practical principles:
- Company profits: taxed in Senegal at 30% (corporate tax).
- Dividends paid to a manager resident in France: 10% withholding in Senegal, tax credit in France, effective global rate ~30%.
- Manager's salary: taxed in Senegal if activity is performed from Dakar, in France if remote from Paris.
- Senegal VAT: 18%, mandatory monthly filing from the first XOF cashed in.
- No US-style FATCA: France runs its own CRS scheme to which Senegalese banks have adhered since 2018.
Classic diaspora mistakes
- Forgetting the annual DAS-T filing (foreign-resident shareholder) with Senegal's DGID.
- Cashing in via personal Wave instead of Wave Business → reclassified as undeclared income.
- Skipping bookkeeping: XOF 2 million fine plus flat-rate reassessment.
FAQ
Q: Do I need a Senegalese visa or residence permit to be the manager?
A: No. Any French citizen or dual national can manage a Senegalese SUARL/SARL without a residence permit. You stay a French tax resident if you spend under 183 days/year in Senegal.
Q: What is the real all-in cost of setup in 2026?
A: Plan XOF 500,000 to 800,000 (EUR 760 to 1,220) all-inclusive: APIX 25,000, lawyer or template articles 150,000, 1-year agent 100,000 to 300,000, notarised PoA 40,000, bank opening 50,000.
Q: Can I incorporate from France without ever traveling to Senegal?
A: Yes, possible since 2024 with a notarised PoA legalised at the embassy. But an initial trip is still advised to meet your banker, accountant and first suppliers.
Q: Can my Senegalese SUARL invoice French clients?
A: Yes, in EUR or USD via Wise Business, Stripe or SWIFT. Watch out for transfer-pricing rules if your SUARL re-invoices an activity you physically perform in France — France can recharacterise.
Conclusion
Setting up a business in Senegal from Paris has never been more reachable: 30 days, XOF 800,000 all-in, zero mandatory travel. The real challenge is remote operations — accounting, banking, suppliers. Kolonell offers a turnkey Diaspora Setup package: APIX, agent, bank, accountant, website. Request a free quote or message 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.
