The verdict in three sentences
In Burkina Faso, the CEFORE (business formality centers), run by the Maison de l'entreprise, act as one-stop shops in Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso and beyond. A SARL or sole proprietorship is created there in 72 hours to a week, with flexible capital. The RCCM, the IFU (single financial identifier) and social registration are handled in a single file, for an order of magnitude of 30,000 to 90,000 FCFA in 2026.
CEFORE in practice
The CEFORE gathers under one roof the commercial court registry, the tax directorate (for the IFU) and the social security fund (CNSS). The entrepreneur files a single dossier and collects all registrations, sharply cutting the historical delays.
Usual forms are the sole proprietorship (ideal to start solo), the SARL (single-member or not) and the SA. For a digital or services activity, the single-member SARL protects personal assets.
| Step | Where | Timeline (2026 estimate) | Cost (order of magnitude FCFA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name reservation | CEFORE | A few hours | Free to 5,000 |
| Filing articles | CEFORE (private) or notary | 1 to 2 days | 0 to 150,000 |
| RCCM registration | Registry via CEFORE | 72 h to 5 days | 20,000 to 45,000 |
| IFU issuance | DGI via CEFORE | Included | Free to 10,000 |
| CNSS registration | CNSS via CEFORE | Included | Free |
| Legal publication | Authorized journal | 2 to 5 days | 15,000 to 30,000 |
Costs compared by form
Here are 2026 orders of magnitude in Ouagadougou by chosen form.
| Form | Suggested capital | Estimated total fees | Overall timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole proprietorship | None | 20,000 to 45,000 FCFA | 48 to 72 h |
| Single-member SARL (private) | 100,000 FCFA | 45,000 to 90,000 FCFA | 72 h to 5 days |
| SARL (notary) | 100,000 FCFA+ | 150,000 to 280,000 FCFA | 5 to 7 days |
| SA | 10,000,000 FCFA | 400,000 to 650,000 FCFA | 1 to 2 weeks |
These are 2026 estimates: confirm the current rates at CEFORE, which regularly communicates real fees and guaranteed delays.
Become a Kolonell referral partner
Every newly registered Burkinabè company needs a credible storefront. By joining the Kolonell referral network, you are paid on every recommendation:
| Project type | Sale commission | Recurring |
|---|---|---|
| Showcase site | 15% | 5% / month |
| E-commerce | 12% | 5% / month |
| Marketplace | 10% | — |
| Institutional | 8% | — |
A 500,000 FCFA showcase site earns you 75,000 FCFA at signing, then 5% recurring each maintenance month.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Mini case study
Boureima, an IT provider in Ouagadougou, creates a single-member SARL at CEFORE: name reservation 5,000, RCCM 40,000, free IFU, publication 20,000 — so 65,000 FCFA in 4 days. He then refers four clients to Kolonell: three showcase sites (3 × 75,000 = 225,000 FCFA) and one e-commerce at 2,000,000 FCFA (240,000 FCFA). Total commission: 465,000 FCFA, plus the monthly recurring.
FAQ
What is CEFORE?
The CEFORE is the business formality center, a Burkinabè one-stop shop bundling registry, tax and social security to register a company in a single filing.
What is the IFU?
The IFU (single financial identifier) is the tax number assigned to every company in Burkina Faso, usually issued within the CEFORE flow.
What capital for a SARL?
Capital is flexible and can be set at 100,000 FCFA in the articles. It must be genuinely paid in the company's name.
How long to register?
Expect 72 hours to a week with a complete file; the notarized route for high capital takes a bit longer.
Which documents do you get?
On leaving CEFORE, you hold the RCCM, the IFU and, if employing, a CNSS registration.
Let's talk about your project. Your company is registered in Ouagadougou: let's give it a site that inspires trust and converts. 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.