South Africa: company formation
Private company (Pty) Ltd · Africa
Updated on 3 November 2026 · Published under the responsibility of Jason Pivron, director · Who we are
(Pty) Ltd in South Africa — 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 of 27% (to be checked with the tax authority).
- Online registration with the CIPC, fast for a standard memorandum (1–3 working days, to be checked).
- Modern company law (Companies Act 71 of 2008) and access to the Southern African market.
What it does not solve
- South African Reserve Bank exchange controls frame cross-border flows.
- 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
Source: ourpower.co.za (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 South Africa; to be checked.
Registered office and office on quotation, after review of the file.
Our offer in South Africa, internal catalogue.
Registration in South Africa: CIPC (Companies and Intellectual Property Commission). Source: cipc.co.za
Services and prices
Starting prices excluding tax, government fees included.
See the other 13 services in this jurisdiction
Firm price after the call: several shareholders, indirect ownership or a regulated activity change it.
South Africa: what is specific to it
- Companies Act 71 of 2008; the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) registers companies online. Source: cipc.co.za
Reviewed on 30 September 2026.
South Africa compared with Angola and Mauritius
| South Africa | Angola | Mauritius | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Usual company form | (Pty) Ltd | Lda. | GBC · AC |
| Corporate taxation | 27% on profits | 25% (industrial tax, general rate) | Reduced rate subject to substance conditions · extensive treaty network |
| Share capital | No statutory minimum | Not established | Not established |
| Incorporation time | 1–3 working days (BizPortal, standard memorandum) | About 2 days (Guiché Único da Empresa) | 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 1,090 € | from 22,390 € | from 20,490 € |
To be checked against each profile. The page for Angola → · The page for Mauritius →
Registered office and premises in South Africa
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 South Africa, the register is kept by CIPC (Companies and Intellectual Property Commission) and the usual time is 1–3 working days (BizPortal, standard memorandum).
Steps as recorded on 21 September 2026.
Group: International place of incorporation · Our fees → · What we do for you →
Company formation in South Africa: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to set up a company in South Africa?
Our services in South Africa start at 1,090 €, excluding tax. Firm quote before signature.
How long does it take to register a company in South Africa?
About 1–3 working days (BizPortal, standard memorandum) once the file is complete.
Where is a company registered in South Africa?
With the CIPC (Companies and Intellectual Property Commission) (source: cipc.co.za).
What is the corporate tax rate in South Africa?
27% on profits (data as of 21 September 2026; source: sars.gov.za). Not tax advice.
What share capital is usual in South Africa?
No statutory minimum: usual capital, not a legal minimum; to be checked.
Why set up a company in South Africa?
Corporate income tax of 27% (to be checked with the tax authority). Online registration with the CIPC, fast for a standard memorandum (1–3 working days, to be checked). Modern company law (Companies Act 71 of 2008) and access to the Southern African market.
What are the drawbacks of a company in South Africa?
South African Reserve Bank exchange controls frame cross-border flows. Survey data not verified by on-the-spot counsel: banking access and substance are established case by case.
South Africa or Angola or Mauritius: where do our services start?
from 1,090 € in South Africa; from 22,390 € in Angola; from 20,490 € in Mauritius, excluding tax.
South Africa or Angola or Mauritius: how does corporate tax compare?
South Africa, 27% on profits; Angola, 25% (industrial tax, general rate); Mauritius, Reduced rate subject to substance conditions · extensive treaty network; to be checked.
South Africa or Angola or Mauritius: which is faster to register?
South Africa in 1–3 working days (BizPortal, standard memorandum); Angola in About 2 days (Guiché Único da Empresa); 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 →