The verdict in three sentences
CEPICI in Abidjan is the one-stop shop that centralizes registration in Ivory Coast, largely digitalized in 2026. A sole proprietorship is created for about 15,000 FCFA in 24 to 48 hours, an LLC (SARL) for about 50,000 FCFA with free capital. RCCM and DFE (Tax Existence Declaration) come from the same file; only the bank account remains to open in one to two weeks.
Costs and delays at CEPICI
The online one-stop shop cuts back-and-forth. Figures are a 2026 order of magnitude by form and activity.
| Step | Delay | Cost (2026 order of magnitude) |
|---|---|---|
| Sole proprietorship | 24-48 h | ~15,000 FCFA |
| LLC (full file) | 24-72 h | ~50,000 FCFA |
| LLC share capital | — | Free (often 100,000 FCFA symbolic) |
| RCCM | included | included |
| DFE (tax declaration) | included | included |
| Business license (patente) | by activity | variable |
| Corporate bank account | 1-2 weeks | 0-25,000 FCFA |
Legal forms and regimes
The choice depends on risk level and expected turnover.
| Form | Capital | Liability | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole proprietorship | None | Unlimited | Freelance, launch |
| Single-member LLC | Free | Limited | Solo protecting assets |
| Multi-member LLC | Free | Limited | Partners, growth |
| Public company (SA) | 10,000,000 FCFA | Limited | Large projects |
The business license (patente) depends on activity and turnover, to budget separately. CEPICI allows online tracking of the file until documents are handed over.
The Kolonell business-introducer program
Once registered at CEPICI, you invoice your commissions cleanly. The Kolonell introducer program rewards every client brought, across the four segments.
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| Segment | Sale commission | Recurring |
|---|---|---|
| Showcase site | 15% | 5% |
| E-commerce | 12% | — |
| Marketplace | 10% | — |
| Institutional | 8% | — |
A well-connected Ivorian introducer who brings a 2,000,000 FCFA e-commerce store earns 240,000 FCFA in commission. The LLC registration cost (50,000 FCFA) is recovered on the very first deal.
Mini case study
Kouassi, a developer in Abidjan, registers his single-member LLC at CEPICI for 50,000 FCFA in three days. He then refers a restaurateur (showcase site 500,000 FCFA → 75,000 FCFA) and a wholesaler (marketplace 5,000,000 FCFA → 500,000 FCFA at 10%). In one quarter he collects 575,000 FCFA in commissions, plus the 5% recurring on the showcase site maintenance.
FAQ
How much does CEPICI registration cost in 2026? About 15,000 FCFA for a sole proprietorship and 50,000 FCFA for an LLC, excluding the business license which varies by activity.
Is an LLC's capital really free? Yes, capital is free in Ivory Coast, often set at 100,000 FCFA symbolically. This greatly eases the launch.
Can I do everything online? CEPICI offers an online one-stop shop covering most of the file, with digital tracking until the RCCM and DFE are issued.
When can I collect my commissions? As soon as you get the RCCM and open the bank account, one to two weeks after filing. You then invoice your 12% or 15% depending on the segment.
Do I need an accountant from the start? Not mandatory for a sole proprietorship, but support at 15,000-50,000 FCFA/month secures your declarations once volume grows.
Let's talk about your project. Register at CEPICI, then become a Kolonell introducer and monetize your 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.
