Kenya: company formation
Private limited company · Africa
Updated on 3 November 2026 · Published under the responsibility of Jason Pivron, director · Who we are
Private limited company in Kenya — company, registered office, banking file and annual upkeep, run by us, with a local correspondent where we have one.
Who this jurisdiction suits
- Corporate income tax: 30% (resident company) (to be checked with the tax authority).
- Since 2019, the Companies Act 2015 requires every company to keep a register of its beneficial owners and to file a copy with the Business Registration Service within 30 days.
- Any change of beneficial owner is reported within 14 days, through the eCitizen portal.
- Private limited company, registered at the Registrar of Companies (Business Registration Service).
What it does not solve
- Local formalities and exchange controls to anticipate locally.
- Survey data not verified by on-the-spot counsel: banking access and substance are established case by case.
Conditions to meet
Usual capital, no legal source cited: to be checked
Banking access to be assessed at the interview, not surveyed here: no bank is promised on the strength of a survey.
Substance to be assessed depending on the activity; local criteria remain to be checked with on-the-spot counsel.
Our assessment for Kenya; to be checked.
Registered office and office on quotation, after review of the file.
Our offer in Kenya, internal catalogue.
Registration in Kenya: Registrar of Companies (Business Registration Service). Source: brs.go.ke (to be checked)
Services and prices
Starting prices excluding tax, government fees included.
See the other 12 services in this jurisdiction
Firm price after the call: several shareholders, indirect ownership or a regulated activity change it.
Kenya: what is specific to it
- Since 2019, the Companies Act 2015 requires every company to keep a register of its beneficial owners and to file a copy with the Business Registration Service within 30 days. Source: brs.go.ke
- Any change of beneficial owner is reported within 14 days, through the eCitizen portal. Source: brs.go.ke (to be checked)
Reviewed on 30 September 2026.
Kenya compared with Mali and Mauritius
| Kenya | Mali | Mauritius | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Usual company form | Private limited company | Acte uniforme OHADA | GBC · AC |
| Corporate taxation | 30% (resident company) | 30% on profits | Reduced rate subject to substance conditions · extensive treaty network |
| Share capital | No statutory minimum | XOF 1,000,000 (shares of XOF 5,000) | Not established |
| Incorporation time | 3–5 working days (after a complete filing) | 72 hours (API-Mali one-stop shop) | 1 week |
| Banking access | Demanding | Demanding | Demanding |
| Substance requirement | Necessary, but not sufficient on its own | Necessary, but not sufficient on its own | Real presence required |
| Our services | from 5,302 € | from 10,190 € | from 20,490 € |
To be checked against each profile. The page for Mali → · The page for Mauritius →
Registered office and premises in Kenya
From 999 €. Registered office service →
How it runs
- Scoping and identity verification
- Name reservation
- Filing and incorporation
- Delivery of the corporate file
- Account opening
For Kenya, the register is kept by Registrar of Companies (Business Registration Service) and the usual time is 3–5 working days (after a complete filing).
Steps as recorded on 21 September 2026.
Group: International place of incorporation · Our fees → · What we do for you →
Company formation in Kenya: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to set up a company in Kenya?
Our services in Kenya start at 5,302 €, excluding tax. Firm quote before signature.
How long does it take to register a company in Kenya?
About 3–5 working days (after a complete filing) once the file is complete.
Where is a company registered in Kenya?
With the Registrar of Companies (Business Registration Service) (source: brs.go.ke).
What is the corporate tax rate in Kenya?
30% (resident company) (data as of 21 September 2026; source: kra.go.ke). Not tax advice.
What share capital is usual in Kenya?
No statutory minimum: usual capital, not a legal minimum; to be checked.
Why set up a company in Kenya?
Corporate income tax: 30% (resident company) (to be checked with the tax authority). Since 2019, the Companies Act 2015 requires every company to keep a register of its beneficial owners and to file a copy with the Business Registration Service within 30 days. Any change of beneficial owner is reported within 14 days, through the eCitizen portal. Private limited company, registered at the Registrar of Companies (Business Registration Service).
What are the drawbacks of a company in Kenya?
Local formalities and exchange controls to anticipate locally. Survey data not verified by on-the-spot counsel: banking access and substance are established case by case.
Kenya or Mali or Mauritius: where do our services start?
from 5,302 € in Kenya; from 10,190 € in Mali; from 20,490 € in Mauritius, excluding tax.
Kenya or Mali or Mauritius: how does corporate tax compare?
Kenya, 30% (resident company); Mali, 30% on profits; Mauritius, Reduced rate subject to substance conditions · extensive treaty network; to be checked.
Kenya or Mali or Mauritius: which is faster to register?
Kenya in 3–5 working days (after a complete filing); Mali in 72 hours (API-Mali one-stop shop); Mauritius in 1 week, usual times.
Where these figures come from
Recorded on 21 September 2026; to be checked; banking and substance: our assessment. How we source these figures →