Setting up an OHADA SARL in West Africa: five countries compared
One form, five countries. The SARL under the OHADA Uniform Act follows common rules, but the one-stop shop, the timeline, the usual capital and the tax change from one country to the next. Here is what our profiles record.
Published on 4 November 2026 · Jason Pivron, director
A common form
Senegal, Ivory Coast, Mali, Burkina Faso and Togo apply the OHADA Uniform Act on commercial companies, revised in 2014. The SARL is the usual form for a private business there.
The substantive rules are therefore close; what varies are the formalities, the capital in practice and the taxation. The values below come from a survey dated 21 September 2026, to be checked: nothing here is legal or tax advice.
Timelines and one-stop shops
These are the one-stop shop timelines; gathering documents and identifying the client happen beforehand.
- Ivory Coast: 24 hours at CEPICI; since the 2014 reforms, a SARL is formed without a notary and online.
- Togo: 24 hours at most at the CFE.
- Senegal: 24 to 72 hours at APIX.
- Mali: 72 hours at API-Mali.
- Burkina Faso: 72 hours to one week at CEFORE.
Usual capital
Our survey gives a usual capital of XOF 100,000 in Senegal, XOF 1,000,000 in Mali (shares of XOF 5,000) and XOF 5,000 in Burkina Faso; it is freely set in Ivory Coast and not established in Togo. All these values are to be checked.
Share capital is not included in our prices: it remains the shareholder's.
Corporate tax on profits
Survey of 21 September 2026, sources checked on 30 September 2026, to be checked with the tax authority. Each country also has an investment code granting benefits to approved projects.
- Senegal: 30%
- Mali: 30%
- Burkina Faso: 27.5%
- Togo: 27%
- Ivory Coast: 25%, with a standard VAT rate of 18%
What it costs
Published prices, government fees included, excluding capital and travel. A registered office starts at €999 per year; each country's details are on its profile.
- Formation in Senegal: €4,790 one-off
- Formation in Ivory Coast: €6,090 one-off
- Formation in Burkina Faso: €6,990 one-off
- Formation in Togo: €7,090 one-off
- Formation in Mali: €10,190 one-off
Banking and substance
Our survey assesses neither banking access nor substance in these five countries: they are established case by case, during the call. No bank is promised on the strength of a survey.
A free 20-minute call is enough to choose the country that fits your project, with a firm quote before signature: book a call. The full list is on the jurisdictions page.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to form a SARL in Ivory Coast?
24 hours at the CEPICI one-stop shop according to our survey; since 2014, a SARL is formed without a notary and online.
What capital is needed for a SARL in Senegal?
Our survey gives a usual capital of XOF 100,000, to be checked.
What is the corporate tax rate in Mali?
30% on profits according to our survey of 21 September 2026, to be checked with the tax authority.
How much does an OHADA SARL cost with AquaSands?
From €4,790 in Senegal to €10,190 in Mali according to our published prices, government fees included.