The verdict in three sentences
Ghana's Registrar General's Department (RGD) now lets you register a Company Limited by Shares online in 1 to 3 days for roughly 150 to 330 GHS. Côte d'Ivoire's CEPICI one-stop shop registers a limited company (SARL) in 24 to 48 hours for an order-of-magnitude 15,000 to 50,000 FCFA. In both cases the hard part is no longer legal creation but the digital existence that follows: without a website, the business stays invisible.
Ghana RGD: registration fully online
Ghana pushed digitalisation through the RGD portal and Ghana.gov. A Company Limited by Shares registers online, with a TIN (Tax Identification Number) now aligned to the Ghana Card. 2026 ballpark figures (estimate, excluding advisory fees):
| Ghana item | Indicative timeline | Indicative cost |
|---|---|---|
| Name search + reservation | Same day | 50 GHS |
| Company Ltd registration (RGD) | 1 – 3 days | 150 – 330 GHS |
| TIN / Ghana Card | Same day | Free |
| Certificate to Commence Business | Included | Bundled |
| SSNIT (employer social security) | 3 – 7 days | Free |
| Stated capital | — | Varies by activity |
In Ghana, the declared stated capital drives proportional duties: a high-capital activity pays more than a micro-structure.
CEPICI Côte d'Ivoire: the one-stop shop in practice
CEPICI centralises the RCCM registry, the tax existence declaration, social registration (CNPS) and the taxpayer number. A complete file avoids back-and-forth. 2026 benchmarks (estimate, excluding advisory fees):
| Step / item | Indicative timeline | Indicative cost |
|---|---|---|
| Name reservation (RCCM) | Same day | 5,000 – 10,000 FCFA |
| SARL registration (one-stop) | 24 – 48 h | 15,000 – 50,000 FCFA |
| Tax existence declaration | Included | 0 FCFA |
| CNPS (social) registration | 2 – 5 days | Free |
| Minimum share capital SARL | — | 1 FCFA (legal floor) |
| Articles + notary (if required) | 2 – 4 days | 100,000 – 300,000 FCFA |
The minimum SARL capital was cut to a symbolic floor, making the form accessible to micro-businesses. The most variable item is notary fees when articles must be authenticated.
Mini case study
Kwame, a consultant in Accra, registers a Company Ltd via the RGD portal for about 300 GHS in 2 days. But he notices no client finds him online. He adds a starter website (equivalent to 250,000 FCFA / ~380 EUR): in three months it brings 4 quote requests, 2 of which close at ~400,000 FCFA equivalent. The site pays for itself on the first contract. Lesson: legal creation cost is minor next to the cost of being invisible.
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FAQ
How long to register a company with the RGD in 2026?
Online registration takes 1 to 3 days for a complete file. Allow a little more if the name search flags conflicts or documents are missing.
Is Ghana registration truly 100% online?
Yes, via the RGD portal and Ghana.gov, with a TIN linked to the Ghana Card. Expect 1 to 3 days and roughly 150 to 330 GHS for a Company Limited by Shares.
How long does CEPICI take in Côte d'Ivoire?
The one-stop shop advertises 24 to 48 hours for a complete file. Add a few days if the articles need a notary.
Do I need a website right at incorporation?
Legally no, commercially yes: a business with no online presence loses prospects who systematically verify digital existence before making contact. A starter site starts around 250,000 FCFA equivalent.
Does Kolonell handle the legal formalities?
Kolonell is not a law firm, but supports the digital presence right after creation: website, e-commerce, and local SEO for Accra or Abidjan.
Let's talk about your project. You've just registered your company and want to exist online from week one. 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.
