Registering a Company in Rwanda, Step by Step
Step by step
How to register a company in Rwanda
The free online registration with the Office of the Registrar General at RDB. The certificate is issued within 6 working hours of a complete application.
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Choose the form
Pick an individual enterprise, a private or public company, a subsidiary or a branch of a foreign company.
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Create an account
Open an account on the RDB online registration portal with an active email address.
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Propose a name
The Registrar General refuses names that are misleading, unlawful or too close to an existing company.
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Fill in the application
Give the business activities, the registered address in Rwanda and the shareholders, board members, directors and beneficial owners.
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Upload the documents
Upload the ID or passport, or the notarised resolutions and parent company papers for a subsidiary or branch.
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Download the certificate
Download the certificate of incorporation once it is approved. Its company code is also the TIN and the RSSB employer number.
At a glance
Key points for registering a business in Rwanda.1,2
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where to register | Online through the RDB business registration system, operated by the ORG |
| Government fee | Free for online registration |
| Processing time | Within six working hours when the application meets the requirements |
| Address | A local physical address in Rwanda is required |
| After incorporation | The company code also serves as the TIN and social security number |
Source: Office of the Registrar General: Business registration (November 2026); Rwanda Development Board: Business Procedures in Rwanda1,2
The registration process brings business registration and tax identification together. The ORG issues the certificate of incorporation, and the company code shown on it is used as the taxpayer identification number (TIN) by the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) and as the social security number by the Rwanda Social Security Board. Registration does not remove the business’s responsibility to understand and meet its tax obligations.1,2
Figures checked November 2026. A guide only, not tax, legal or financial advice.
Sources for the calculator
- Office of the Registrar General: Business registration
- Rwanda Development Board: One Stop Centre, investment registration
- Rwanda Revenue Authority: Basic information on Rwanda taxation, 2025
- Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration: Employment permits
- Rwanda Revenue Authority: Pension scheme contribution
Choose a legal form
An individual enterprise is an unincorporated business with one owner. The owner pays personal income tax on business profits and trades under their own name, although they may use a separate business or trade name. The business is not a separate legal person from its owner.1
The main incorporated forms and structures have different ownership and liability features.1
| Form | Main features |
|---|---|
| Private company limited by shares | Separate legal entity; one to 100 shareholders; no minimum initial share capital |
| Private company limited by guarantee | Owned by guarantors, who agree to pay a stated sum if the company has debts or becomes insolvent; it has no shares |
| Unlimited company | Private-company form in which creditors may use directors’ and shareholders’ personal assets to meet liabilities in formal liquidation |
| Public company | No maximum number of shareholders; regulators set minimum initial share capital |
| Subsidiary | Separate legal entity in which a parent holds a majority stake, defined by the ORG as 50% or more of the shares |
| Branch | Has no separate legal standing and carries on the parent company’s business in Rwanda |
Source: Office of the Registrar General: Business registration (November 2026)1
Private companies cannot operate in banking, insurance or finance; investors entering those sectors must establish public companies. A limited company’s debts are generally its own liabilities, separate from those of its shareholders and directors. An unlimited company has a different risk: in formal liquidation, creditors may use their personal assets to meet company debts. Choose a structure that fits the intended ownership and business activity.1
Apply online
The online registration process involves preparing the application and supporting documents, then obtaining the certificate.1,3
- Decide on the legal form and company name. The company name must be approved before incorporation.
- Prepare the application details, including provisional business activities, a local physical office address, shareholders’ particulars, board members’ particulars and directors’ particulars.
- Provide the required identity and company documents for the applicant and chosen structure. The RDB company booklet describes submitting the online application form with the required documents attached.
- Wait for the ORG’s review. A name may be refused if it breaks the law, is misleading, goes against good morals, or is identical or so similar to another reserved or existing name that it could mislead.
- Download the certificate of incorporation from the applicant’s account after successful registration.
Source: Office of the Registrar General: Business registration (November 2026); Rwanda Development Board: Companies Act booklet1,3
An active email address is among the stated requirements for an individual enterprise application. The ORG says registration is completed upon delivery of the certificate and takes six working hours when the application complies with the requirements. Missing or incorrect information can prevent an application from meeting that condition.1,4
Prepare the documents
Requirements depend on the applicant and whether the business is a subsidiary, joint venture or branch.4
| Applicant or structure | Documents to prepare |
|---|---|
| Individual, Rwandan or foreign | Email address and national ID card or passport |
| Private company owned by an individual | ID card or passport |
| Subsidiary or joint venture involving a local company | Notarised shareholders’ resolution stating the new company’s name, activities, management and shareholding |
| Subsidiary or joint venture involving a foreign company | Notarised copies of the registration certificate and articles of association, plus a notarised shareholders’ resolution stating the new company’s name, business scope, management and shareholding |
| Branch of a foreign company | Notarised copies of the registration certificate and articles of association, plus a notarised resolution to open the branch and nominate its representative and board members |
| Non-profit organisation forming a company | Registration certificate, articles of association and a notarised board resolution to open the company |
Source: Office of the Registrar General: Registration requirements (November 2026)4
The ORG also lists an active email address, company name, provisional business activities and office address among the general requirements. NGOs, associations and cooperatives must provide evidence of registration with the relevant authority and a board resolution. A company establishing a subsidiary or branch is advised to state the chosen type clearly in its resolution to avoid confusion during review.1,4
Arrange notarisation
The ORG accepts notarisation by the following authorities:4
- In Rwanda: the RDB notary, a district or sector notary, or a private notary authorised by the Ministry of Justice.
- Abroad: a public notary, a Rwandan embassy or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Source: Office of the Registrar General: Registration requirements (November 2026)4
Certification of conformity is accepted only for incorporation certificates and articles of association. Shareholders’ and board resolutions must be original documents signed in the presence of the notarising authority. For a foreign branch, the resolution should open the branch and nominate its representative and board members; the ORG’s requirements specify a branch representative in Rwanda.4
Meet tax obligations
A person beginning a taxable business must register it with the tax administration within seven days of starting business activity. The integrated RDB and RRA systems provide a single TIN through the registration process. The company must still file and pay the taxes that apply to its activities and circumstances.1,2,5
VAT and electronic invoicing rules include these thresholds and actions:2,5
- VAT registration is required when taxable turnover exceeds RWF 20 million in the previous fiscal year or RWF 5 million in the preceding quarter. The RDB procedure also describes the thresholds as RWF 20 million in any 12-month period or RWF 5 million in three consecutive months in the preceding quarter.
- Register for VAT within seven days after the end of the relevant year or quarter.
- A VAT-registered business must acquire an electronic billing machine (EBM) with immediate effect and issue invoices through it.
- Other possible obligations include personal or corporate income tax, VAT, PAYE, withholding tax and other taxes where applicable.
Source: Rwanda Development Board: Business Procedures in Rwanda; Rwanda Revenue Authority: Domestic tax services — Registration and de-registration2,5
The RDB procedure describes a trading licence tax exemption for qualifying small and medium enterprises during their first two years after establishment. To qualify, an enterprise must meet at least two of these conditions: net capital investment up to RWF 70 million, annual turnover up to RWF 50 million, and up to 100 employees. Qualifying SMEs register at district level after the exemption and begin paying by 31 January from the third year. Large companies meeting at least two of the corresponding higher thresholds register at sector level and pay by 31 January each year.2
Changes and practical points
After incorporation, company details may be amended through a notarised resolution. Changes covered by the ORG include the company name, registered address, business activities, directors or board members, and share issues or transfers. Separately, changes to taxpayer or business-category details must be notified in writing to the tax administration within seven days of the change.1,5
Before submitting, check that:1,2,4,5
- The company name is distinct and the business activities and local physical address are ready to enter.
- The resolution accurately describes the proposed subsidiary, joint venture or branch.
- Foreign-company certificates, articles and resolutions are notarised by an accepted authority, with original resolutions signed in the notary’s presence.
- The company has a plan for tax registration, VAT where thresholds apply, and EBM use if it becomes VAT-registered.
Source: Office of the Registrar General: Business registration (November 2026); Rwanda Development Board: Business Procedures in Rwanda; Office of the Registrar General: Registration requirements (November 2026); Rwanda Revenue Authority: Domestic tax services — Registration and de-registration1,2,4,5
Online registration is free, although private internet cafés may charge for assistance. Applicants in Rwanda who have difficulty with the online process can seek help from the ORG registration support team at the RDB building in Kigali. Check current requirements with the ORG or RRA before filing if the company’s structure or tax position is unusual.1,5
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to register a company in Rwanda?
Online registration through the RDB system is free of charge. The ORG’s registration support team can assist applicants in Rwanda who have difficulties with the online process. Private internet cafés may charge for helping with an application, but this is a service fee, not the government registration fee.
How long does company registration take in Rwanda?
The ORG says business registration is completed within six working hours when the application complies with the requirements. The certificate of incorporation is downloadable from the applicant’s account after successful registration. An application that does not meet the requirements may not be completed within that timeframe.
Can a foreigner own a company in Rwanda?
Yes. The ORG allows shareholders to be Rwandan nationals, foreigners or legal entities, and states that 100% non-local shareholding is allowed. An individual applicant should prepare a passport and email address. A foreign corporate shareholder needs notarised company documents and the relevant shareholders’ resolution.
What documents does a foreign company need to open a branch in Rwanda?
The ORG requires notarised copies of the foreign company’s registration certificate and articles of association. The application also needs a notarised shareholders’ resolution to open the branch and nominate its representative and board members. The ORG requirements specify a branch representative in Rwanda.
What is the difference between a subsidiary and a branch?
A subsidiary is a separate legal entity in which the parent company holds a majority stake, defined by the ORG as 50% or more of the shares. A branch has no separate legal standing and carries on the parent company’s business in Rwanda. The supporting documents and resolutions differ between the two structures.
Does a company receive a TIN when it registers in Rwanda?
The company code on the certificate of incorporation also serves as the company’s Taxpayer Identification Number for the Rwanda Revenue Authority and as its social security number. The integrated registration system provides the code during business registration. The company must still comply with the tax obligations that apply to its activities.
When must a company register for VAT in Rwanda?
VAT registration is required when taxable turnover exceeds RWF 20 million in the previous fiscal year or RWF 5 million in the preceding quarter. Registration is due within seven days after the relevant year or quarter ends. Once registered, a business must acquire an electronic billing machine immediately and use it to issue invoices.
Sources
- Office of the Registrar General: Business registration (November 2026)
- Rwanda Development Board: Business Procedures in Rwanda
- Rwanda Development Board: Companies Act booklet
- Office of the Registrar General: Registration requirements (November 2026)
- Rwanda Revenue Authority: Domestic tax services — Registration and de-registration
Figures checked 10 November 2026. Prepared by InvestRwanda.com for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.
