The verdict in three sentences
In Kenya, the eCitizen portal and the Business Registration Service (BRS) register a limited company in 3 to 7 days for roughly KES 10,500, with a nominal minimum capital for a private company. You obtain your certificate of incorporation, a KRA PIN (tax registration), and your director details in an integrated flow. As elsewhere in the region, the formality is quick: the real work is going digital to collect payments and sell.
Real cost and timeline
BRS via eCitizen has sharply simplified registration in recent years. Here is a 2026 order of magnitude for a private limited company in Nairobi.
| Item | 2026 amount (estimate) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Private limited company | ~KES 10,500 | 3-7 days |
| Business name | ~KES 950 | 1-2 days |
| Minimum share capital | Nominal (no real floor) | — |
| Certificate of incorporation | Included | 3-7 days |
| KRA PIN | Free | With registration |
| Base formality total | ~KES 10,500 | 3-7 days |
Kenya is frequently cited as one of East Africa's more streamlined jurisdictions for company formation.
Steps on eCitizen / BRS
The process is centralized online: a single account handles most steps.
| Step | What to provide | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Name search | Proposed names | Reserved name |
| 2. Incorporation form | Directors, shares, address | Filed |
| 3. IDs & consent | Valid ID, director details | Verified |
| 4. Certificate | On approval | Incorporation issued |
| 5. Tax registration | Automatic | KRA PIN issued |
Compared with Senegal (APIX, ~XOF 25,000, 48-72 h) and Côte d'Ivoire (CEPICI, ~XOF 15,000, 24-48 h), Kenya's timeline is a little longer but its online BRS flow is fully digital end to end.
The Kolonell referral partner program
Once the company exists, every new founder needs a website, a store, or a platform. If you advise founders in Nairobi, the Kolonell referral (apporteur d'affaires) program pays for every successful introduction.
| Referred project type | Sale commission | Recurring |
|---|---|---|
| Showcase website | 15% | + 5% recurring |
| E-commerce | 12% | — |
| Marketplace | 10% | — |
| Institutional | 8% | — |
Example: a marketplace at KES 3,000,000 earns you KES 300,000 in commission. You introduce the founder; we do the rest.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Mini case study
Grace, an accountant in Nairobi, helps clients incorporate. Over one quarter she registers 12 companies via BRS (KES 10,500 each). Of these 12 clients, 4 need a website: she refers them to Kolonell. Result: 3 showcase sites at KES 500,000 (3 x KES 75,000 = KES 225,000) and 1 e-commerce store at KES 1,200,000 (KES 144,000). Grace added KES 369,000 in commissions to her accounting practice, plus 5% recurring on maintenance.
FAQ
Is there a minimum capital for a Kenyan private company?
Not in practical terms. You can register with nominal share capital. Keep realistic working capital to actually operate.
What is the KRA PIN and do I get it automatically?
The KRA PIN is your tax registration number. It is issued alongside incorporation on eCitizen, so you don't apply separately.
How many directors do I need?
A private limited company requires at least one director and one shareholder (which can be the same person). Provide valid IDs and consent for each.
Business name or limited company for e-commerce?
A limited company protects your personal assets and reassures banks and suppliers. For an online business handling payments, it is the stronger choice.
Can I earn by referring founders to a web agency?
Yes: the Kolonell referral program pays 15% on a showcase site (plus 5% recurring), 12% on e-commerce, 10% on marketplace, 8% on institutional.
Let's talk about your project. Register via eCitizen, then let's launch your online presence, and become a referral partner. 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.
