The verdict in three sentences
Kenya's BRS (Business Registration Service), accessed via eCitizen, registers your business in 24 to 48 hours, with a registration certificate and KRA PIN, for a cost on the order of 950 to 10,650 KES depending on the legal form. Minimum share capital for a limited company is flexible, which sharply lowers the entry barrier. Right after, activate a merchant mobile-money account in 48 hours and launch a Starter store to make your first sale within two weeks.
Sole proprietor versus limited company
The first structural choice is the legal form. It weighs on cost, tax and credibility with banks and suppliers. Here is the trade-off, as a 2026 order of magnitude.
| Criterion | Sole proprietor / business name | Limited company |
|---|---|---|
| Registration cost | ~950-1,000 KES | ~10,000-10,650 KES |
| Minimum capital | None | Flexible |
| Liability | Unlimited | Limited to contributions |
| B2B credibility | Medium | High |
| BRS timeline | 24-48 h | 24-48 h |
For a solo founder testing an idea, a business name is enough. As soon as you target tenders, partners or financing, the limited company protects your personal assets and inspires more trust.
The first digital channel
Once the certificate is in hand, speed to market makes the difference. Depending on your model, the first digital channel differs.
| Model | First channel | Cost | First sale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product sales | Starter e-commerce | 1,000,000 FCFA | ~2 weeks |
| Service delivery | Starter showcase | 250,000 FCFA | ~1 week |
| Fast market test | WhatsApp Business + Google | Free | A few days |
| Restaurant / local | Showcase + Google Maps | 250,000 FCFA | ~1 week |
The merchant mobile-money account (M-Pesa Till, and Wave/Orange Money for West Africa) activates in 48 hours and plugs straight into the store: customers pay friction-free, which is decisive in the East African market.
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Mini case study
Kouassi opens a natural-cosmetics store in Nairobi. He picks a limited company on eCitizen: 10,650 KES, certificate in 48 hours. He activates a merchant M-Pesa Till right away. His Starter e-commerce store costs 1,000,000 FCFA equivalent and lists 40 products with mobile-money checkout. Twelve days after launch, he logs 11 orders at an average basket of 18,000 FCFA equivalent, i.e. 198,000 FCFA of revenue in the first selling week. The store pays for itself in about five weeks at that pace.
FAQ
What does a BRS registration really cost in 2026? The order of magnitude is 950 to 10,650 KES depending on whether you choose a business name or a limited company. The eCitizen platform bundles the certificate and KRA PIN in the same journey.
Is limited-company capital really flexible? Yes, there is no imposed minimum: you set a capital suited to your project, even a modest one.
When can I collect via mobile money? A merchant M-Pesa Till (or Wave/Orange Money account) generally activates within 48 hours after filing with the certificate. It then connects to your Kolonell store.
Showcase or e-commerce to start? If you sell products, the Starter e-commerce at 1,000,000 FCFA is the right start. If you sell services, a 250,000 FCFA showcase is enough and costs four times less.
How soon is the first sale? With a Starter store and mobile money wired in, a first sale within two weeks is realistic if you activate your network and social media.
Let's talk about your project. Freshly registered with BRS? Kolonell launches your e-commerce store with mobile-money checkout — and our partner program pays you 12 % on every referred e-commerce, via mobile money. 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.
