Company Formation in Kenya for Foreign Entrepreneurs

Yes, absolutely. 100% remote company formation is our specialty. We handle everything digitally including:

• Document notarization (via your local notary + apostille)
• Digital submission to Business Registration Service (BRS)
• Virtual company secretary services
• Registered office address provision (legal requirement)
• Online tax registration (KRA PIN, VAT if needed)

You'll only need to visit Kenya if you want to open a local bank account in person (some banks require this, though digital banking options are expanding). We provide a complete postal address and physical office for legal compliance.

5-7 business days from document submission to certificate of incorporation, with a 98% on-time completion rate.

Timeline breakdown:

• Day 1: Name reservation with Business Registration Service (instant-24 hours)
• Day 2-3: Document preparation and notarization on your end
• Day 4-5: BRS filing and processing
• Day 6-7: KRA PIN and tax registration

Express 3-day service available for urgent cases (+$200 government expedite fee). Our Silver and Gold packages include priority processing.

No. Kenya allows 100% foreign ownership with zero local partner requirements. You can be the sole director and shareholder from anywhere in the world.

However, you MUST have:

• Registered office in Kenya - We provide this as your legal postal address
• Company secretary - Can be foreign or local (we provide qualified secretary service)
• At least 1 director - Can be you (foreign national)
• At least 1 shareholder - Can be you or your entity

Our Silver ($850) and Gold ($1,100) packages include both the registered office address and professional company secretary for the first year, ensuring 100% compliance with Kenya Companies Act 2015.

For individual foreign directors/shareholders:

• Valid passport (certified copy + notarized)
• Proof of residential address (utility bill, bank statement - within 3 months)
• Passport-size photo (digital copy acceptable)
• KRA PIN application form (we provide template)

For corporate shareholders (if company is shareholder):

• Certificate of incorporation (apostilled)
• Memorandum & Articles of Association
• Register of directors and shareholders
• Board resolution authorizing Kenya company formation
• Good standing certificate (from home jurisdiction)

Important: All foreign documents must be notarized and apostilled (Hague Convention) or legalized by Kenyan embassy in your country. We provide detailed checklists and country-specific guidance with every package.

Total investment: $450 - $1,100 depending on services needed.

Our packages:

• Bronze ($450): Basic formation - certificate, KRA PIN, compliance documents
• Silver ($850) - MOST POPULAR: Bronze + registered office + company secretary (1 year) + banking support
• Gold ($1,100): Silver + tax optimization + trademark search + business licenses + dedicated account manager

Government fees (included in our pricing):

• Name reservation: KES 100 (~$1)
• Company registration: KES 10,420 (~$80)
• Certificate of compliance: KES 2,000 (~$15)
• KRA PIN registration: Free

Ongoing costs: Annual return filing (KES 5,000 / ~$38), Company secretary (if renewing after year 1: $150/year), Registered office (if renewing: $120/year). All packages include these for the first year.

Yes, but with limitations. Most Kenyan banks require physical presence for account opening, though policies are evolving.

Your options:

• Option 1 - Visit Kenya: Come for 2-3 days, we arrange bank meetings (Equity Bank, KCB, NCBA most foreigner-friendly). Success rate: 95%.
• Option 2 - Digital banks: Some fintechs (e.g., Fingo Africa) offer remote account opening for incorporated companies. Limited international transfer capabilities.
• Option 3 - International banking: Use Wise Business, Payoneer, or similar for USD/EUR transactions. Not a "Kenyan" account but works for most foreign businesses.
• Option 4 - Postpone: Operate without local bank initially, open account during first Kenya visit.

What you'll need for bank account:

• Certificate of incorporation
• CR12 (directors/shareholders register)
• Memorandum & Articles of Association
• KRA PIN certificate
• Directors' passports and KRA PINs
• Business plan or proof of business activity
• Initial deposit (varies: $100-$1,000 depending on bank)

Our Silver and Gold packages include banking introduction and document preparation support. We have relationships with 5+ major banks and can facilitate meetings.

Annual requirements (mandatory for all companies):

• Annual return filing: Submit to BRS within 12 months of incorporation, then yearly. Cost: KES 5,000 (~$38). Penalty for late filing: KES 10,000-50,000.
• Tax compliance: File annual income tax return (even if no income). Nil return if dormant.
• Company secretary: Must maintain one at all times (individual or corporate). We provide this service.
• Registered office: Must have physical address in Kenya for official correspondence.
• Statutory registers: Maintain registers of directors, shareholders, charges (we maintain digitally).

If business is active (earning income):

• Monthly/Quarterly PAYE: If you have employees (9th of following month)
• Monthly VAT: If VAT-registered and turnover >KES 5M (~$38k) - due 20th of following month
• Annual financial statements: Prepare and file with tax return
• Withholding tax: On certain payments (dividends, professional fees, rent)

Our ongoing support: We offer annual compliance packages ($299/year) covering annual return filing, company secretary service, registered office, and basic tax compliance. Gold package clients get 50% discount on this.

All packages include: Company name reservation, certificate of incorporation, KRA PIN registration, Memorandum & Articles drafting, CR12 forms.

Bronze ($450) - Basic Formation:

• Best for: Entrepreneurs with Kenya connections, planning to visit, or using personal address
• Timeline: 7 business days
• Support: Email support during formation
• You'll need: Own registered office address and company secretary arrangement

Silver ($850) - Most Popular (67% choose this):

• Everything in Bronze PLUS:
• Registered office address (1 year included - Nairobi, Parklands)
• Professional company secretary service (1 year)
• Banking introduction and support
• Priority processing (5 business days)
• Best for: 100% remote entrepreneurs, no Kenya visits planned, want complete compliance

Gold ($1,100) - Premium Service:

• Everything in Silver PLUS:
• Tax optimization consultation (1 hour with tax expert)
• Trademark search (1 name in Kenya)
• Business license application support (county-specific)
• Dedicated account manager (WhatsApp + phone + email)
• 50% discount on year 2 annual compliance package
• Best for: High-value businesses, need tax planning, want premium support, trademark protection important

Recommendation: 90% of foreign entrepreneurs choose Silver ($850) for the included registered office and company secretary - these alone cost $270/year if purchased separately, making Silver the best value for remote formation.