Business Register Rights: This is what it takes to register a business in Mali

A business owner looking to set up in Mali will need to deal with company registration, tax paperwork and, depending on the industry, additional operating permits. The process is handled through the Agence pour la Promotion des Investissements au Mali (API-Mali), which runs a One-Stop Shop in Bamako. The paperwork is not the same for every business. Someone starting a company with partners, for example, will need to prepare company statutes and provide proof that the share capital has been deposited at a bank. The legal structure chosen at the beginning also determines some of the documents and fees involved.

Deciding how the business will be registered

Mali allows businesses to operate under different legal structures, including a limited liability company (SARL), a public limited company (SA) and a branch of a foreign company. For entrepreneurs setting up a company with other shareholders, the company statutes are an important part of the application. They record details about ownership and how the company will be managed. The founders must sign these documents and arrange the deposit of the share capital at a bank.

This is something to settle before submitting the registration application. Where several people are involved, they need to agree on their respective shares and responsibilities rather than leave those details until the paperwork is being processed.

The paperwork founders need

The government's company registration requirements include signed company statutes or an act of deposit before a notary, proof of the share capital deposit and a criminal record extract. There is a provision for applicants in Bamako and Kati who do not have the criminal record extract when they submit their application. They may use a sworn declaration, but must provide the extract within two months.

The application is handled through API-Mali's One-Stop Shop. The government gives a registration processing period of 72 hours from the date the completed file is deposited by the notary. That period does not include the time needed to prepare the company documents, arrange the bank deposit or obtain missing paperwork. The company's legal notice must also be published in an authorised newspaper. The government says this should happen within 24 hours.

The fees involved

There is no single registration price for every type of company in Mali. The government's published schedule breaks the charges down by service. The listed fees include CFA200 for a fiscal stamp, CFA15,000 for registration with the Trade and Personal Property Credit Register (RCCM) and CFA1,000 for national identification registration (NINA).

Registering company statutes at the tax office costs CFA6,000. Fiscal stamps on the statutes cost CFA1,500 per page. There is also a CFA1,250 charge for registering the declaration of capital subscription and CFA20,000 for publication of the company statutes. Public limited companies (SA) have an additional CFA7,500 One-Stop Shop fee listed in the schedule.

These charges do not cover every expense involved in setting up a company. Notary fees, bank charges and professional assistance may add to the bill. The amount will depend on the company's structure and the work required to prepare its documents. Founders should confirm the current charges with API-Mali before making payments.

A separate application is needed for the tax number

Company registration also involves dealing with Mali's tax authority. Businesses need a tax identification number, known as the Numéro d'Identification Fiscale (NIF). The General Directorate of Taxes requires a declaration of existence and supporting documents. These include the company's RCCM details, identification documents, proof of its business address and company statutes. A stamped application is also required. The tax authority says the NIF is issued free of charge, with a stated processing period of 48 hours. The application requires a CFA200 fiscal stamp.

Entrepreneurs should not overlook this part of the paperwork when planning their registration. The company documents and tax application serve different purposes, and both need attention.

The industry can mean more paperwork

Registering a company does not automatically authorise it to carry out every type of business activity. Mali requires additional permits for certain sectors, including construction and public works, property development, architecture, engineering consultancy, travel and tourism, public transport and real estate agency services.

The authorities may ask for professional qualifications, proof of competence or a criminal record extract, depending on the activity. This matters when planning the business budget. Someone setting up a transport company, for instance, needs to account for the relevant operating authorisation as well as the cost of registering the company. The same applies to businesses in other regulated sectors.

Contacting API-Mali

The API-Mali One-Stop Shop is located in Quartier du Fleuve, formerly the Air Afrique area, in Bamako. Entrepreneurs can contact the agency on +223 20 22 95 25 or +223 20 22 95 26. Its postal address is BP 1980, Bamako, Mali. The registration documents are in French. Business owners who are not comfortable working in French may need help from a local accountant, lawyer or registration agent to prepare the application and communicate with the relevant offices.

For anyone planning to open a business in Mali, the main costs to establish upfront are not just the government registration charges. The legal structure, preparation of company documents, notarial work, bank arrangements and any sector specific permits all need to be considered before the business starts spending money on its premises, equipment or staff.