The verdict in three sentences
In Ghana, the Registrar General's Department (RGD) registers a sole proprietorship online in 1 to 2 days for roughly GHS 60 to 300. A sole proprietorship or Business Name is the fastest route for a freelancer, before moving to a Company Limited by Shares as you grow. The real trigger is the registration certificate + TIN that unlocks a business account and legal invoicing.
Legal forms and RGD costs
The RGD handles registration, TIN and filing in one flow. Here are 2026 orders of magnitude.
| Legal form | Registration fee (2026 order) | Timeline | Liability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole proprietorship | GHS 60 - 120 | 1 day | Unlimited |
| Business Name | GHS 80 - 150 | 1 - 2 days | Unlimited |
| Company Ltd (1 owner) | GHS 230 - 350 | 2 - 4 days | Limited to shares |
| Company Ltd (multiple) | GHS 300 - 500 | 3 - 5 days | Limited to shares |
| PLC | GHS 1,000+ | 5 - 10 days | Limited to shares |
Since recent reforms, a private company can start with a modest stated capital, keeping incorporation accessible from day one.
Required documents and business mobile money
The RGD file is filed online or at the office. Prepare these items.
| Step | Document / action | Indicative cost |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Ghana Card / passport | GHS 0 |
| Address | Digital address / lease | GHS 0 |
| Name search | Availability check | included |
| Certificate | Registration certificate | included in fee |
| TIN | Tax ID (GRA) | GHS 0 |
| Business account | MoMo Merchant / Paystack | GHS 0, KYC 24-72 h |
With the certificate and TIN, you open a MoMo Merchant or Paystack account, lowering collection fees to about 1 - 1.5 % and raising limits.
Mini case study
Ibrahim, a freelance developer in Accra, registers a sole proprietorship: fee GHS 100, timeline 48 h. He opens a MoMo Merchant account and becomes a referral partner for Kolonell. He refers an e-commerce project at GHS 40,000: a 12 % commission, i.e. GHS 4,800, plus 5 % recurring on maintenance. His GHS 100 registration is recouped forty-eight times on this one contract. He then invoices his own dev work with no legal risk.
Become a Kolonell referral partner
After registering, the Kolonell referral program turns your address book into income. The 2026 rates:
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| Referred project type | Sale commission | Recurring |
|---|---|---|
| Showcase site | 15 % | 5 % |
| E-commerce | 12 % | 5 % |
| Marketplace | 10 % | - |
| Institutional | 8 % | - |
A marketplace project at GHS 100,000 earns the partner GHS 10,000 in commission.
FAQ
How much does RGD registration cost in 2026?
Between GHS 60 and 300 for common forms. A sole proprietorship can be as low as GHS 60 - 120, ideal to test an activity.
Does the RGD really handle everything in one flow?
Yes: registration, TIN and filing are processed together, hence the short 1 to 2 day timeline.
What capital for a Ghanaian Ltd?
A modest stated capital is enough after reforms, but a credible figure is recommended for banking credibility.
How much is a MoMo Merchant account?
Opening is free, KYC takes 24 to 72 h with the certificate, and collection fees are around 1 - 1.5 %.
Can I be a referral partner without being a developer?
Yes, a referral partner simply introduces clients. A registered sole proprietorship is enough to collect commissions legally.
Let's talk about your project. Register with the RGD then bring us your first clients. 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.
