HOW TO REGISTER A COMPANY IN RWANDA

LAWS APPLICABLE

• THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF RWANDA
• LAW NO 007/2021 OF 05/02/2021 LAW GOVERNING COMPANIES IN Rwanda
• AMONG OTHERS.

1. Have a business idea.
2. decide on which type of company you want to incorporate
3. In Rwanda the following are the types of companies one may incorporate
4. company limited by shares as a Company having the liability of its members limited by the memorandum to the amount, if any, unpaid on the shares respectively held by them
5. unlimited liability company as a company not having any limit on the liability of its members
6. protected cell company: it is a company in which a single legal entity consists of a core linked to several cells, each with separate assets and liabilities;
7. company limited by shares and by guarantee: it is a company in which liabilities of the shareholders are limited to paid or unpaid amount on their shares, there may also limited by guarantee, where liabilities of members are limited to the amount that the members undertake to contribute to the assets of the company in case of winding up.
8. company limited by guarantee: it is a company used primarily for non-profit organizations and having the liability of its members limited to the amount as the members may agree;
9. A CAMPANY MAY BE APRIVATE COMPANY OR A PUBLIC COMPANY

A company limited by shares and by guarantee may be public or private. However, a company limited by guarantee or an unlimited company cannot be a public company

• PRIVATE COMPAN is a company which by its articles, restricts the right to transfer its shares and other securities, limits the number of its members to one hundred, not including persons who are employed by the company and persons who, have been formerly employed by the company; and prohibits any invitation to the public to subscribe for any shares or debentures of the company .
• PUBLIC COMPANY is a company which by its articles does not, restricts the right to transfer its shares and other securities, does not limits the number of its members and prohibits any invitation to the public to subscribe for any shares or debentures of the company.
• In Rwanda companies can either be registered online or physically presenting documents as follows.
• Having decided on the type of a company to register choose name
• Reserve the name with Rwanda development board (RDB) by filing a company name request at the Office of the Registrar  of companies or online
• Prepare a Memorandum and Articles of Association of the intended company (recommended to be prepared by a lawyer)in alternative you may use already made templates from RDB.
• Have all the documents signed accordingly
• Take them for assessment either at BK or RDB
• SUBMIT to RDB copies of memorandum and Articles of Association of the company, identification form for the directors with passport photos, Particulars of directors and company secretary form, Statement of authorized share capital of the company All documents shall be verified where there is no query the registrar of companies shall register the company and issue a certificate of incorporation to that effect.

Company registration in Rwanda can also be done online

Note: Whereas the Author has taken necessary steps to ensure the accuracy of this article the same does not serve as an advice to a specific person.

Authored by OKUMU MARTIN

Regional Transaction Legal Consultant Advocate

At Noa Regional Associated Advocates and Legal consultants E A

LLM (CANDI,) LLB, PGDLP(DIP LP),PCT OIL AND GAS LAW

Email address: onlinetransactionconsultancy@gmail.com

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