The verdict in three sentences
Ghana (Registrar General's Department, RGD) and Kenya (eCitizen / Business Registration Service) pushed business registration online in 2026. In Ghana, a sole proprietorship costs 60 to 150 GHS in 1 to 3 days, TIN free; in Kenya, a business name costs ~950 KES in 1 to 2 days, with a mandatory KRA PIN. In both countries everything is done online and the bank account follows within a week.
Ghana vs Kenya: the comparison
Two digitalized systems, very low costs. Figures are a 2026 order of magnitude.
| Criterion | Ghana (RGD) | Kenya (eCitizen/BRS) |
|---|---|---|
| Portal | RGD / online | eCitizen / BRS |
| Sole proprietorship / business name | 60-150 GHS | ~950 KES |
| Company / Ltd | 300-600 GHS | ~10,000-25,000 KES |
| Delay | 1-3 days | 1-2 days |
| Tax number | TIN (free) | KRA PIN (mandatory) |
| 100% online | Yes | Yes |
| Bank account | ~1 week | ~1 week |
Steps common to both countries
The journey is similar: name, registration, tax number, bank account.
| Step | Ghana | Kenya |
|---|---|---|
| Name search/reservation | Online, 24 h | Online, a few hours |
| Registration | RGD portal | BRS via eCitizen |
| Tax number | TIN free | KRA PIN free |
| Certificate | 1-3 days | 1-2 days |
| Bank account | ~1 week | ~1 week |
The Kenyan KRA PIN is essential to invoice and open an account; the Ghanaian TIN plays the same role. These free numbers unlock all legal commercial activity.
The Kolonell business-introducer program
Once registered in Ghana or Kenya, with a TIN or KRA PIN, you invoice your commissions. The Kolonell introducer program covers the four segments.
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| Segment | Sale commission | Recurring |
|---|---|---|
| Showcase site | 15% | 5% |
| E-commerce | 12% | — |
| Marketplace | 10% | — |
| Institutional | 8% | — |
An introducer in Accra or Nairobi who brings two e-commerce stores at 2,000,000 FCFA each earns 480,000 FCFA in commission. The registration cost (a few dozen GHS or KES) is negligible against this potential.
Mini case study
Ama, a community manager in Accra, registers her sole proprietorship at the RGD for 120 GHS in two days, TIN included. She refers a hotel (showcase site 500,000 FCFA → 75,000 FCFA) and a fashion brand (e-commerce 2,000,000 FCFA → 240,000 FCFA at 12%). In six weeks she collects 315,000 FCFA, plus 5% recurring on the showcase site maintenance.
FAQ
How much does registration cost in Ghana in 2026? About 60 to 150 GHS for a sole proprietorship at the RGD, with a free TIN, in 1 to 3 days.
And in Kenya? A business name costs about 950 KES via eCitizen/BRS, in 1 to 2 days, with a mandatory but free KRA PIN.
Is the KRA PIN really mandatory in Kenya? Yes, the KRA PIN is essential to invoice, open a bank account and comply with the Kenyan tax authority.
Can I do everything online in both countries? Yes, Ghana's RGD and Kenya's eCitizen allow 100% online registration in 2026, from name to certificate.
When can I invoice my Kolonell commissions? As soon as you get the certificate and bank account, about a week. You then invoice your 12% or 15% depending on the segment.
Let's talk about your project. Register in Ghana or Kenya, then become a Kolonell introducer and monetize your English-speaking network. 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.
