Includes steps involved in establishing a local office.
Last Published: 7/2/2019

There are six categories of companies recognized by the Code of Economic Activities:

  • Joint Stock Companies, either S.A. (minimum capitalization of at least 100 million GNF, approx. USD 11,000) or S.A.R.L. (minimum capitalization of 10 million GNF, approx. USD 1,100)
  • Partnerships
  • Non-trading Real Estate Companies
  • Professional Services Companies
  • Cooperatives
  • Special companies and conglomerates, including joint venture companies, de facto companies, and temporary groupings

Legal incorporation for new investments involves signing by-laws, depositing the start-up capital in a blocked bank account, registering the company in the Register of Economic Activities, and announcing the incorporation in a journal for legal notices. The process is centralized at the Guichet Unique (One-Stop-Shop) in Kaporo, established in December 2011 and operated by the Agency for the Promotion of Private Investment (APIP), as part of the Ministry of Investment.

Fees for individuals starting companies total 212,500 GNF (approx. USD 24). Total fees for limited liability partnerships are 550,000 GNF (approx. USD 60) plus a sliding fee to register the statutes and procès-verbal (receipt): one percent of capital for companies with a capitalization between 10 and 100 million GNF (approx. USD 1,100 to 11,000), 0.5 percent for companies between 100 million and 500 million GNF (approx. USD 11,000 to 55,000), and 0.25 percent of capital for any amount above 500 million GNF (approx. USD 55,000). 

Corporations pay 650,000 GNF (approx. USD 70) plus 0.5 percent of capitalization between 100 million and 1 billion GNF (approx. USD 11,000 to 110,000). Cooperatives register free of charge. The company must submit two photos of the company’s director, managing director, or agent, and a copy of his or her identification and visa (if a foreigner), as well a rental contract for the physical location of the office. Corporations and LLPs must also provide proof of a bank account containing their initial capital to assess the statute registration fee, as specified above.  A branch office can be established through the same procedure at a cost of 700,000 GNF (approx. USD 77).

Following registration, to apply for “privileged regime” status and benefit from the provisions of Guinea’s investment code, the company will need to address a letter to the Minister of Investment detailing the nature of the company, describing the installation and equipment, projecting anticipated production and revenue for the next three years, and estimating the number of jobs to be created. Large projects entailing new construction may need to submit feasibility studies. The proposal will be reviewed by the National Investment Commission, composed of representatives from APIP, Customs, and the Ministries of Economy and Finance, Justice, and Hospitality, Tourism and Handicrafts.

Although employees at the Guichet Unique seem competent and well-trained, the new registration process is not fully streamlined. Most notably, incoming investors have had difficulty with the rental contract requirement: the Guichet Unique requires a rental contract to establish a business, but most landlords require that the company be established before agreeing to a lease.

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.