Includes steps involved in establishing a local office.
Last Published: 5/15/2019

To establish offices in Chad, a company must provide the following documents to the Formalities Center (Centre de Formalité des Entreprises) at the Chadian Chamber of Commerce:

  • Copy of articles of incorporation or bylaws, and annexes;
  • Decision of the General Assembly or decision of the Board of Directors (Societé Anonyme—See Below);
  • Proof of identity of company executives/owners;
  • Criminal records or affidavit of no criminal record;
  • Residence permit (for foreigners);
  • Lease or title of Property;
  • Three color photos of the Chief Executive Officer;
  • Notary and registration fees of approximately $280 plus 1.5 to 5 percent of capital.
Engaging a lawyer or notaire to prepare these documents may reduce delays caused by missing documentation.  The Formalities Center will then forward all documents to the Guichet Unique, a one-stop shop registration service located at the National Agency for Investment and Exportation (ANIE).  Three business days are required to process an administrative authorization to establish a business.  Fees for processing vary according to the size of the company.  There are five main types of companies in Chad:
  • Corporation (Societé Anonyme, SA): A "Societé Anonyme" has the same characteristics as a "Societé Anonyme Francaise.”  There must be at least seven shareholders.  Financial responsibility of shareholders is limited to each individual's capital contribution.
  • Limited Liability Company: (Societé a Responsabilité Limité, SARL): This category corresponds to the French SARL.  A SARL requires a minimum of two individual partners.  SARL partners cannot cede ownership without consent of 3/4 of the association.
  • Affiliate or Branch Office (Succursale): A foreign company may start a business in Chad as a branch office either independently or with a Chadian partner. 
  • Economic Cooperative (Groupement d’Intéret Economique): A formal relationship between a group of businesses or organizations for the purpose of increased competitive advantage.  Common among agricultural producers and artisans. 
  • Sole Proprietorship (Entreprise individuelle): A private business owned by one individual with unlimited liability.  Foreigners require a residence permit issued within the previous three months and a copy of a commercial lease to qualify. 
Registration fees vary by company type.  The following fee amounts are based on an exchange rate of 600 Franc CFA to $1:
  • Corporation (Société Anonyme: SA): $183
  • Limited Liability Company (Société à Responsabilité Limité: SARL): $133 
  • Corporate affiliate or Branch Office (Succursale): $550
  • Economic Cooperative (Groupement d’Intéret Economique): $142
  • Individual Enterprise (Entreprise individuelle): $63

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.