SARL manager change Senegal: what we see in the field
Majority partner of a Dakar SARL, April 2026: 'Mohamed, my manager is walking out tomorrow. The bank will refuse cheques. How long to change?'
Changing a SARL manager in Senegal is an OHADA-regulated 5-step procedure, taking 15 to 30 days depending on administrative delays. The trap: during the transition, some operations can freeze if the chain of acts is not respected.
Here is the 2026 method, based on 7 cases we supported in 2025.
Why a manager change is sensitive
The manager binds the company. Their signature is on file with all banks, strategic suppliers, administrations. As long as the change is not formalised:
- Banks often refuse the new manager wire orders
- Administrations (DGID, customs) do not recognise the new contact
- Supplier contracts may be suspended
- Ongoing contracts risk legal blockage
Hence the importance of a fast and clean procedure.
The 5 procedure steps
Step 1: Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM)
Partners meet (in person or by video if articles allow) and vote on the old manager removal + new manager appointment. Quorum: per articles, usually majority of shares.
Documents produced:
- EGM convocation (15 days notice unless justified urgency)
- Signed attendance sheet
- EGM minutes
- Written acceptance of the new manager
- Non-conviction declaration of the new manager
Cost: 0 FCFA (private deed). 50,000 to 150,000 FCFA if drafted by a lawyer or notary.
Step 2: Registration of minutes at DGID
EGM minutes must be registered at the tax centre (DGID) within 30 days.
Cost: tax stamp and registration duties, 25,000 to 50,000 FCFA depending on share value involved.
Turnaround: 3 to 7 business days depending on centre.
Step 3: RCCM update at the Commercial Court
With registered minutes, you file the update at the Dakar Commercial Court registry to update the Trade and Personal Property Credit Register.
Required documents:
- Registered EGM minutes (original)
- Updated articles (if manager name appears in them)
- New manager ID
- Non-conviction declaration
- New manager proof of address
- M2 form (modification)
Cost: 75,000 to 150,000 FCFA depending on complexity (registry fees + stamps).
Turnaround: 7 to 14 business days.
Step 4: Legal notice
Publication of a notice in an authorised journal (Le Soleil, L'Observateur, Sud Quotidien...).
Cost: 25,000 to 75,000 FCFA depending on journal and length.
Turnaround: published within 2 to 7 days after submission.
Step 5: Notification to third parties
Once the RCCM is updated, you must officially notify:
- All banks where the company has accounts
- DGID (change of legal representative for filings)
- Customs if you import / export
- Main contracted clients
- CSS and IPRES (social contributions)
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Each notification requires sending the new RCCM + minutes + new manager ID.
Overall transition: 3 to 10 days depending on third-party responsiveness.
Cost and timing summary
| Step | Cost FCFA | Delay |
|---|---|---|
| EGM + minutes (private deed) | 0 - 150,000 | 1 day |
| DGID registration | 25,000 - 50,000 | 3-7 days |
| RCCM update | 75,000 - 150,000 | 7-14 days |
| Legal notice | 25,000 - 75,000 | 2-7 days |
| Third-party notifications | 0 - 50,000 | 3-10 days |
| Total | 125,000 - 475,000 | 15-30 days |
For a complete file with notary or legal firm support: 250,000 to 600,000 FCFA all-in.
Traps to avoid
Trap 1: forgetting DGID registration
Without DGID registration of minutes, the Court registry refuses the RCCM update. This is the step that delays most files.
Trap 2: new manager convicted or banned from managing
Always check the new manager criminal record. A conviction for bankruptcy or serious tax offence voids the appointment.
Trap 3: bank signature not updated
As long as banks have not received the official notification, the old manager can still sign (and the new one cannot). Notify banks on D-day of the updated RCCM.
Trap 4: forgotten legal notice
Without published legal notice, the change is not enforceable against third parties. You can lose a dispute if you skip this inexpensive step.
Trap 5: articles to update
If your articles mention the manager name (not mandatory for SARL), you must also update articles, adding notary fees (50-150,000 FCFA).
Our Kolonell recommendation
For a clean manager change in 21 days:
- Prepare the EGM in parallel with new manager checks (criminal record, ID)
- Register everything the same day at DGID upon signing
- File at the registry within 48h
- Publish legal notice in parallel with RCCM filing
- Prepare a third-party notification kit ready to send upon receipt of the new RCCM
Total all-inclusive Kolonell cost: 350,000 FCFA, delivered within 21 business days except atypical cases.
FAQ
Can one be manager remotely from abroad?
Yes. No residency requirement in Senegal to be a SARL manager. Common practice for diaspora founders. The bank will just require a special power of attorney for routine ops.
What if the old manager refuses to sign the minutes?
Removal is voted at EGM by majority of shares. The old manager signature is not required to enact removal, only that of the meeting chair and present partners count.
How long do banks take to recognise the new manager?
3 to 10 days after receiving the complete file (updated RCCM + minutes + ID). SGCI and BICIS are the strictest (sometimes a physical meeting of the new manager at the branch).
Can one cumulate manager and majority partner roles?
Yes, that is even the most frequent case in SUARL and family SARL in Senegal. No legal incompatibility.
We handle your manager change? WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33 or quote on /en/free-quote.
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.
