All your questions about ACF-CI, one answer.

Acacia Consulting & Formations (ACF-CI) is a firm specialized in formal company registration in Cote d'Ivoire -- LLC (locally called "SARL") and Sole Proprietorship (EI) -- and in legal tax optimization for resident entrepreneurs and members of the African diaspora.

Founded in 2021 in Koumassi, Abidjan, by Toussaint KPASSE, ACF-CI is a service of Sigma Capital SARL. The firm has supported more than 150 entrepreneurs since its founding, with more than 5 years of experience as of 2026.

The founder and director of ACF-CI is Toussaint KPASSE. He created the firm in 2021 after observing that formal company registration in Cote d'Ivoire was too complex and not accessible enough for resident entrepreneurs and the diaspora.

Toussaint KPASSE can be reached directly on WhatsApp at +225 42 98 98 04 (personal contact, not for company registration) and on LinkedIn.

Acacia Consulting & Formations (ACF-CI) is a service of Sigma Capital SARL. It is not an independent subsidiary, but a specialized activity operating under Sigma Capital SARL, the company of which Toussaint KPASSE is the director.

In practice, when you sign a contract with ACF-CI, you are contracting with Sigma Capital SARL. Any legal procedure involves this entity, registered in Koumassi, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.

The headquarters of Acacia Consulting & Formations is located in Koumassi, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. Support is available in person in Abidjan or entirely remotely for clients outside Abidjan and members of the diaspora.

ACF-CI's only official contacts are:

• Official WhatsApp: +225 03 04 40 76
• Phone: +225 01 03 04 40 76
• Email: [email protected]
• Founder's WhatsApp: +225 42 98 98 04 (Toussaint KPASSE -- personal contact, not for company registration)
• Website: acf-ci.com

⚠️ Any other number presented as ACF-CI's is not official. Always check our Trust Center.

ACF-CI is available 7 days a week, from 8am to 8pm (Abidjan time, GMT+0), including weekends and public holidays. This applies to WhatsApp, phone and email contacts.

Messages received outside these hours are answered at the next opening, usually within 4 hours.

These are two very different legal structures under OHADA law:

• LLC (locally called "SARL"): a company with one or more partners, minimum share capital of 100,000 FCFA, separate legal personality, partners' liability limited to their contributions. Ideal for structuring a project with a clear separation between personal and business assets.
• Sole Proprietorship (EI): a single operator, no minimum capital, simplified procedures, but personal assets can be used to cover business debts. Ideal for quickly starting a solo activity.

ACF-CI advises you on the structure best suited to your project during the first consultation, at no extra cost.

ACF-CI handles the entire process from A to Z:

1. Initial consultation & choice of structure (LLC or Sole Proprietorship)
2. Drafting of founding bylaws compliant with OHADA law
3. Preparation of the registration file
4. Filing and follow-up with CEPICI (the one-stop shop)
5. Obtaining the RCCM and tax ID (IDU)
6. Support opening the business bank account
7. Activating tax benefits with the DGI (tax authority)

You receive a 100% operational company within 4 to 8 business weeks maximum.

Under the revised OHADA Uniform Act, the minimum share capital for an LLC is 100,000 FCFA (about $175). This amount must be deposited into a blocked bank account when the company is formed.

This share capital is separate from ACF-CI's fees: it is a contribution that belongs to you and forms the initial assets of your company.

Yes. OHADA law allows the creation of a single-member LLC (one sole partner). This is an option frequently chosen by entrepreneurs who want the legal protection of an LLC while remaining the sole owner of their structure.

ACF-CI supports both single-member LLCs and multi-partner LLCs.

ACF-CI supports company registration in the vast majority of lawful business sectors in Cote d'Ivoire: trade, services, construction, consulting, import-export, agri-food, technology, training, healthcare, etc.

Some regulated activities (banking, insurance, pharmacy, telecommunications) require specific licenses in addition to registration. ACF-CI informs you of these requirements during the initial consultation.

Yes. Support with opening the business bank account is part of ACF-CI's standard process. The firm directs its clients to the partner banks best suited to their profile and activity in Cote d'Ivoire.

CEPICI (the Investment Promotion Center of Cote d'Ivoire) is the one-stop shop for registering a company in Cote d'Ivoire. It issues the RCCM (Trade and Personal Property Credit Register), your company's official registration number.

No, you don't have to do anything yourself. ACF-CI handles all the steps with CEPICI, from preparing the file to receiving the RCCM.

The LLC (SARL) is the most common form and the most regulated by law, ideal for traditional SMEs. The SAS (simplified joint-stock company) gives shareholders more freedom to draft the bylaws and organize governance.

The SAS is very popular with startups that plan to bring in investors or raise funds. ACF-CI advises you for free on the best choice during the first contact.

Yes, this is entirely possible. OHADA law allows you to register a single-member LLC or a single-member SAS. You will be the sole partner and manager.

Your personal assets will be protected, unlike with a simple Sole Proprietorship (EI).

Yes. Ivorian legislation is very open to foreign investors. A non-Ivorian citizen can fully register an LLC or an SAS in Abidjan and own 100% of the share capital of their company.

There is no requirement to have a partner of Ivorian nationality.

Yes, if your business grows, it is possible to convert your Sole Proprietorship into an LLC. This involves a legal conversion procedure with CEPICI.

This is why ACF-CI often recommends registering a single-member LLC from the start to plan ahead for your growth.

This is precisely what working with a firm of experts prevents. If a document gets blocked at the administrative level, ACF-CI's team interacts directly with CEPICI or DGI officers to resolve the situation, without you having to intervene.

ACF-CI guarantees delivery of your official documents.

While the law sets the minimum at 100,000 FCFA, ACF-CI recommends adapting this amount to the reality of your project.

Share capital of 1,000,000 FCFA or 5,000,000 FCFA gives much more credibility with banks (to obtain a loan) or large groups (to win tenders) than the legal minimum.

No! The funds are blocked temporarily with the notary or bank only for the duration of the registration. As soon as your RCCM is issued, we unlock the account.

You can then use this 100,000 FCFA freely to pay for your company's first expenses (purchases, advertising, suppliers).

Yes, this is called an "in-kind contribution" (as opposed to a cash contribution).

However, if these assets have significant value, OHADA law may require the involvement of a contribution auditor to certify their value, which extends the timeline and costs. It is often simpler when starting out to make a cash contribution.

ACF-CI's prices start at:

• 200,000 FCFA for residents of Cote d'Ivoire
• 250,000 FCFA for non-residents (diaspora): France, Belgium, Canada, USA, Switzerland, Nigeria, etc.

These prices cover the complete support from A to Z: consultation, bylaws, CEPICI file, RCCM, tax ID (IDU) and activation of tax benefits. 0 hidden fees.

No, zero hidden fees. ACF-CI is committed to complete transparency: the amount stated in your quote is the final amount, no surprises.

Note: the minimum share capital of 100,000 FCFA (for an LLC) is a contribution that belongs to you -- it is not an ACF-CI fee. It stays in your company's bank account. Any notary fees (if bylaws are notarized) are also separate and communicated to you in advance.

Yes. ACF-CI accepts payment in 2 installments:

• Installment 1: deposit when the service starts
• Installment 2: balance upon delivery of the documents

The exact terms are specified in the signed quote. Contact ACF-CI to discuss arrangements suited to your situation.

ACF-CI accepts the main payment methods available in Cote d'Ivoire and from abroad:

• Mobile Money: Orange Money, Wave, MTN MoMo
• Bank transfer (from Cote d'Ivoire or abroad)
• Cash (in person in Koumassi, Abidjan)

For diaspora clients, international bank transfer is the most commonly used method. Details are provided when the quote is signed.

A refund may be granted in the following cases:

• Proven fault by ACF-CI making it impossible to deliver the service
• Significant overrun of the guaranteed timeline with no justified external cause
• Document delivered with an error not corrected within the agreed timeframe

The full terms are defined in our Terms of Service. To submit a refund request, see our complaints page.

Yes, entirely free and with no obligation. The initial consultation (by WhatsApp, phone or in person) and the quote are provided at no cost. You only pay once the quote is signed and the service effectively begins.

Our prices are public and transparent: the package starts at 200,000 FCFA for residents, and 250,000 FCFA for the diaspora. These amounts include everything: drafting of bylaws, official CEPICI fees, stamp duty, obtaining the RCCM/DFE/IDU.

The only add-on options (which you freely choose) are Official Journal publication, the import/export code, or setting up the tax reduction.

No. The share capital is not a registration fee. It is your company's money.

This money must be deposited by you into the blocked bank account of your future company or with a notary. It is not part of ACF-CI's fees.

ACF-CI guarantees company registration within 4 to 8 business weeks maximum from receipt of your complete file and first payment. The minimum timeline is 1 month.

This timeline includes all steps: drafting the bylaws, filing with CEPICI, obtaining the RCCM, tax registration (IDU), banking support and activation of tax benefits.

If the guaranteed timeline (4 to 8 weeks) is exceeded for a reason attributable to ACF-CI, you are entitled to:

• Request an immediate progress update
• Obtain a new timeline guaranteed in writing
• Escalate your request to the founder (level 2)

Some delays depend on third-party administrations (CEPICI, DGI, banks). ACF-CI informs you of any external delay as soon as it is identified. See our complaints page for more details.

The registration process starts as soon as we receive:

• The signed quote
• The first payment (deposit)
• The requested supporting documents (ID/passport, etc.)

Generally, effective processing begins within 24 to 48 business hours after receiving all of these elements.

ACF-CI keeps clients informed at every key step of the process, mainly via WhatsApp. You receive a notification at each major milestone: filing with CEPICI, obtaining the RCCM, tax registration, etc.

You can also follow up with the team at any time via +225 03 04 40 76 -- availability is guaranteed 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm.

This is a matter of caution and honesty. The Ivorian administration (CEPICI, court registry, DGI) handles many requests: obtaining the RCCM, the DFE (tax registration declaration) and the IDU takes time.

Promising 48h is often a misleading sales pitch. At ACF-CI, we prefer to give you a realistic timeline of about 1 month, and deliver a file that is 100% solid, with no administrative rejection.

Legal tax optimization means using the official tax mechanisms provided by the General Tax Code of Cote d'Ivoire to legally reduce your company's tax burden. This is neither fraud nor tax evasion.

ACF-CI activates for its clients mechanisms recognized by the DGI (tax authority) allowing a 20 to 50% reduction of the tax burden over a minimum of 3 years.

Depending on the company's profile and activity:

• Tax reduction of 20 to 50% over a minimum of 3 years
• Maximum savings of 150,000 FCFA per year
• Up to 450,000 FCFA over 3 years

These figures vary depending on your company's tax regime, your revenue, and the mechanisms applicable to your sector. ACF-CI provides a personalized estimate during the consultation.

The tax benefits activated by ACF-CI last a minimum of 3 years, renewable depending on the applicable mechanisms and the eligibility conditions being maintained.

Some mechanisms can extend to 5-7 years depending on the sector of activity and the type of investment made. ACF-CI provides ongoing follow-up to ensure the benefits are maintained over time.

Yes, 100%. All mechanisms used by ACF-CI are officially recognized by the General Tax Code of Cote d'Ivoire and handled directly with the Directorate General of Taxes (DGI).

This is not a fictitious scheme or tax evasion, but the activation of existing legal rights that are often overlooked by entrepreneurs due to lack of information. Your company can withstand a tax audit without any difficulty on these points.

ACF-CI masters the main Ivorian tax regimes applicable to LLCs and Sole Proprietorships:

• Simplified actual regime and normal actual regime (corporate/business income tax)
• Micro-business regime and flat-rate regime
• Value Added Tax (VAT) -- liability and exemptions
• Tax on industrial and commercial profits (BIC)
• Business license contribution (Patente)
• Tax benefit mechanisms for new companies

The initial activation of tax benefits is included in ACF-CI's complete registration service. In-depth tax support (ongoing optimization, annual follow-up, advice during operations) is a separate add-on service.

Details are specified in your personalized quote. Feel free to discuss this during the free initial consultation.

Many entrepreneurs don't know this, but the Ivorian State encourages company registration through tax relief mechanisms. ACF-CI prepares your file to activate these rights with the DGI.

This allows you to benefit from a tax reduction ranging from 20% to 50% over your first 3 years of operation, entirely legally.

It is an absolute and 100% legal right. It is based on the Ivorian Investment Code and General Tax Code (CGI).

ACF-CI does not engage in any tax evasion: we simply apply the legal texts (such as the TEE regime) so that our clients benefit from the reductions provided by the State for new companies.

Depending on your revenue, you will be subject to the "entreprenant" regime, the micro-business regime, or the simplified actual regime. You will need to pay tax on profits (BIC), the business license contribution, and possibly VAT.

It is precisely on these taxes that ACF-CI's intervention allows you to apply legal reductions of up to 450,000 FCFA in savings over 3 years.

Eligibility depends on the law and your industry, but ACF-CI commits to preparing an impeccable file.

If your activity is eligible under the General Tax Code, we guarantee obtaining the exemption or tax reduction certificate from your local tax office.

It depends on your projected revenue and your tax regime. If you are under the micro-business regime, you do not charge VAT.

If you are under the simplified actual regime or the normal actual regime, you are subject to VAT (18%). We will explain this in detail when we deliver your DFE (tax registration declaration).

This is a simplified tax and legal regime reserved for very small individual businesses with low revenue.

While very attractive for small shops, it is often limiting if you want to work with large companies (B2B) or respond to public tenders. This is why we often recommend an LLC instead.

Yes, in Cote d'Ivoire, there is a Minimum Flat Tax (IMF). Even in the event of a loss or low profit, the company must pay a minimum amount to the State. In addition, the business license contribution is required.

This is exactly where ACF-CI's tax optimization comes in: we help you benefit from relief on these specific taxes during your first years.

The Ivorian State regularly amends its tax annex. Some older mechanisms may have been adjusted, but the Investment Code and incentives for new SMEs (such as the TEE regime or business license reductions) are still active under certain conditions.

ACF-CI's expertise consists precisely of mastering the current finance law to activate the exact reductions your sector is entitled to.

This is an unfounded fear. Benefiting from a legal tax reduction does not put you on a "red list." The DGI audits companies that show accounting irregularities, that fail to file (abusive zero declarations), or that commit fraud.

With ACF-CI's follow-up, your accounting is solid and well-documented: you have nothing to fear from a tax audit.

No, and this is a crucial point. Legal tax optimization generally applies to tax on profits (BIC), the business license contribution, or the Minimum Flat Tax (IMF).

VAT and payroll tax (ITS) are taxes you collect on behalf of the State: you must always remit them in full to the DGI.

This is a strategic choice that depends on taxation:

• Salary: it is taxed monthly (payroll tax) and subject to social security contributions. The advantage is that it reduces the company's profit (so less corporate tax at year-end) and gives you rights to retirement/social security.
• Dividends: paid once a year from remaining net profit and taxed at around 10 to 15%.

Through our accounting follow-up service, ACF-CI advises you every year on the best arbitrage to pay as little tax as possible.

This depends on international tax treaties. Cote d'Ivoire has signed double-taxation treaties with several countries (including France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada).

This means that, in principle, if income (such as a dividend) has already been taxed in Cote d'Ivoire, you will not pay tax twice, or you will benefit from a tax credit in your country of residence.

The ASDI (advance on various taxes) is a withholding at the source. When you import goods or invoice certain large companies, they may withhold a percentage (often 2% or 5%) to remit directly to the tax authority.

It is not a lost tax: it is an advance that will be deducted from your year-end taxes. Our firm teaches you how to properly factor this into your invoicing.

Yes, entirely remotely. ACF-CI has developed a 100% digital process that allows diaspora members to register their Ivorian company without traveling to Abidjan.

All exchanges, signatures and document transmissions are done via WhatsApp and email. ACF-CI supports entrepreneurs from France, Belgium, Canada, the United States, Switzerland, Nigeria and other countries.

ACF-CI supports diaspora members residing in the following countries (non-exhaustive list):

• 🇫🇷 France
• 🇧🇪 Belgium
• 🇨🇦 Canada
• 🇺🇸 United States
• 🇨🇭 Switzerland
• 🇳🇬 Nigeria
• 🌍 Any other country -- contact us to confirm

No. ACF-CI handles the entire administrative process on your behalf. You do not need to travel to Abidjan.

Some steps (such as opening a bank account) may require a power of attorney or physical presence depending on the bank chosen. ACF-CI guides you through the available options to minimize or eliminate any travel.

The documents generally required for a diaspora client are:

• Copy of a valid passport or ID card
• Proof of address in your country of residence
• Information about the desired registered office in Cote d'Ivoire (a local address is required -- ACF-CI can help with this)
• Description of the intended activity

ACF-CI provides you with the complete, personalized list during the free initial consultation.

Yes, this is entirely possible. Many ACF-CI clients manage their Ivorian company remotely thanks to digital banking, delegated management and local representatives.

ACF-CI also supports setting up remote governance: power of attorney, local legal representative, structuring the company to make it easier to manage from abroad.

This is a legitimate concern. To avoid scams, ACF-CI operates with complete transparency: we are a physical firm based in Koumassi (Abidjan), registered as Sigma Capital SARL.

We operate with payment in 2 installments (deposit at the start, balance after verification of the official documents). More than 150 diaspora entrepreneurs (Switzerland, Canada, France, USA) have already trusted us, with verified reviews.

Everything is digitized. We prepare the OHADA bylaws and founding documents, then send them to you by email.

You print them, sign them, and send us back high-resolution scans along with a copy of your passport or ID card. Our firm handles the certification and legal filing.

Banking regulations in Cote d'Ivoire generally require the manager's physical presence to open the account (KYC). However, ACF-CI prepares your entire file in advance, so that as soon as you arrive in Abidjan, opening the account takes less than 48h.

In certain specific cases, we can direct diaspora clients to partner banks that allow remote pre-opening.

For clients residing abroad, we draft a specific power of attorney. You will need to print it, sign it and send it back to us.

This document legally authorizes ACF-CI's team to file the application with CEPICI and sign the registers on your behalf, entirely lawfully.

Once registration is complete, we first send you the scanned digital versions (high-resolution PDFs) by email and WhatsApp.

Then, after payment of the balance of the service, we ship your original physical documents by a secure express courier service (such as DHL) directly to your address abroad, or hand them to a trusted person you have designated in Abidjan.

For the file preparation phase, clear, legible color scans sent by email or WhatsApp are sufficient.

ACF-CI takes care of printing and assembling the physical file required by the Ivorian administration.

Yes, this is ACF-CI's core expertise. We have developed a 100% remote process. Thanks to a legal power of attorney drafted by us, our team represents you physically at CEPICI and the DGI in Abidjan.

You receive your bylaws, RCCM and tax ID (IDU) by email, then the originals by DHL.

Absolutely. By entrusting your registered business address and your monthly accounting/tax follow-up to ACF-CI, you can steer your strategy from abroad.

Meanwhile, we handle your local administrative obligations (e-tax filings, DGI declarations, social security/CNPS).

This is a very common misconception, but it is false! Ivorian law does not require any local partner ("nominee" or sponsor).

You can live in France, Canada or the USA and be the sole partner and sole manager of your Ivorian LLC, owning 100% of it. Only bring in a partner if they add real value to your project, not for administrative reasons that we can legally work around.

No. To register a company with CEPICI (LLC or SAS), your valid passport is sufficient.

An Ivorian residence card or permit is not required to be a shareholder or manager of a company in Cote d'Ivoire.

ACF-CI makes things easier for the diaspora. Although our prices are displayed in CFA francs (XOF), we accept payments in Euros (EUR), US Dollars (USD), Canadian Dollars (CAD) or Swiss Francs (CHF).

You can pay by international bank transfer, PayPal, Wave, or money transfer services. The exchange rate applied is communicated to you transparently in the quote.

Upon delivery, the client receives:

• Founding bylaws, drafted and signed
• RCCM extract (trade registry registration)
• IDU (Unique Identifier) issued by CEPICI
• DFE (tax registration declaration)
• Tax benefit certificate (if tax optimization is activated)
• Login details for the e-tax and FNE accounts

All documents are provided in digital format (PDF) via WhatsApp or email, and as physical originals if required.

The bylaws drafted by ACF-CI comply with the requirements of the OHADA Uniform Act and include:

• Company name, acronym and registered office
• Corporate purpose (company's activity)
• Share capital and distribution of shares
• Identity of the partners and manager
• Decision-making procedures (meetings)
• Company duration (generally 99 years)
• Share transfer and dissolution clauses

Yes. The bylaws can be amended after registration through an Extraordinary General Meeting. The most common amendments are: changing the business activity, changing the share capital, changing the manager or the registered office.

ACF-CI supports bylaw amendments. Contact us for a specific quote.

The IDU (Unique Identifier) is the tax registration number issued by CEPICI in Cote d'Ivoire. It identifies your company with the tax administration and is required to issue invoices, open a business bank account, and benefit from tax advantages.

ACF-CI obtains the IDU for you as part of the registration process. You have nothing to do personally.

For an LLC or Sole Proprietorship, the basic documents generally required are:

• Copy of a valid ID card or passport
• Recent proof of address (utility bill, lease)
• Information about the registered office address in Cote d'Ivoire
• Precise description of the main activity
• Intended share capital amount (LLC only)

ACF-CI provides you with the complete, personalized list based on your situation during the free initial consultation.

Here is the definition of each acronym:

• CEPICI: the investment one-stop shop in Cote d'Ivoire. It is the administration that centralizes company registration.
• RCCM: Trade and Personal Property Credit Register. It is your company's "birth certificate."
• IDU: Unique Identifier. This is your centralized registration number.
• DFE: Tax Registration Declaration. This is the document proving you are registered with the tax authority (DGI).

ACF-CI takes care of obtaining all these documents for you.

Yes, a criminal record extract less than 3 months old is required for the manager. If you were born in Cote d'Ivoire, it must be obtained from the court of your place of birth.

If you are from the diaspora or a foreigner, a criminal record from your current country of residence is generally accepted, sometimes accompanied by a sworn declaration. ACF-CI will guide you on this.

If your company plans to import or export goods, obtaining the Import-Export Code issued by the Ministry of Commerce is mandatory.

ACF-CI offers this as an option (30,000 FCFA) when registering your company, saving you valuable time.

No, this is no longer an absolute requirement. For LLCs whose share capital is less than or equal to 10,000,000 FCFA, the law allows the bylaws to be drafted as a private deed (without a notary).

ACF-CI has legal experts in OHADA law to draft your private-deed bylaws in a perfectly legal and secure manner.

No, this is not possible. The "account in formation" allows the capital to be blocked, but the company's final current account can only be activated after presenting the RCCM (the company's birth certificate), the DFE and the Official Journal notice.

This is a legal requirement of the OHADA Uniform Act. The formation of a commercial company must be made public to inform third parties of its existence.

ACF-CI takes care of drafting and publishing this formation notice in an authorized legal notices journal.

This is the official document by which a notary (or sometimes the bank) certifies that the funds making up the share capital have indeed been deposited into the account of the company being formed.

ACF-CI handles this formality for you, whether it is done as a private deed (regularity declaration) or through a notary, depending on the capital chosen.

To file a complaint, contact ACF-CI via:

• WhatsApp: +225 03 04 40 76 -- response within 4h
• Email: [email protected] -- response within 24h
• Phone: +225 01 03 04 40 76

Have your file number, service date and a description of the issue ready. Filing a complaint is entirely free.

ACF-CI applies a 3-level escalation process:

• Level 1 -- Standard support: resolution within 48 business hours
• Level 2 -- Founder: if level 1 is not resolved, automatic escalation to Toussaint KPASSE -- resolution within 5 days
• Level 3 -- Formal dispute: amicable or judicial procedure under OHADA law

Escalation is automatic -- you do not need to request it. You can also escalate directly to level 2 by contacting the founder at +225 42 98 98 04 -- reserved for complaint escalation, not for company registration requests.

ACF-CI's only verified official contacts are:

• WhatsApp: +225 03 04 40 76
• Phone: +225 01 03 04 40 76
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: acf-ci.com

⚠️ The number +225 73 43 65 15 is an old, no longer active number -- do not use it anymore. Check our Trust Center for any verification.

ACF-CI is a service of Sigma Capital SARL, registered in Koumassi, Abidjan. Any dispute not resolved amicably falls under the jurisdiction of the courts of Abidjan, under Ivorian law and the OHADA Uniform Acts.

See our Terms of Service for the full contractual terms.

Several resources are available to verify ACF-CI's activity:

• Trust Center page: verified legal identity and contacts → acf-ci.com/centre-de-confiance/
• Press page: press kit, figures and official quotes → acf-ci.com/presse/
• Founder Toussaint KPASSE's LinkedIn profile → View profile

No, Ivorian law does not require a young company to rent physical premises from day one. If you don't have the budget for a commercial lease, ACF-CI offers a legal registered business address service.

We provide you with a prestigious, compliant business address in Abidjan to obtain your RCCM and DFE without bearing the cost of rent.

The registered address is a subscription (monthly or annual) that lets you use our firm's address as the official registered office of your LLC or Sole Proprietorship.

We receive your administrative mail (DGI, CEPICI, banks) and forward it to you. It is the ideal solution to start "without premises" and reduce your fixed costs.

Absolutely. The registered address contract provided by ACF-CI is a legal document recognized by CEPICI, the DGI (tax authority) and all commercial banks in Cote d'Ivoire.

It replaces a traditional lease agreement when opening your bank account.

The Ivorian tax administration (DGI) requires separating your home address from the company's registered office for auditing and property tax purposes.

Using ACF-CI's registered business address protects you legally, makes your business look more professional to clients, and avoids tax complications on your personal residence.

Our registered address service includes:

• Use of our Abidjan address as your company's official registered office
• Including this address on your bylaws and your RCCM
• Receiving and forwarding your administrative and tax mail

The standard registered address service provides you with a legal and administrative address. If you need to receive clients or hold a meeting, ACF-CI can, on a case-by-case basis, direct you to partner meeting room rental solutions in Abidjan.

Of course! The registered address service is a flexible solution. As soon as you rent your own commercial premises, you simply need to process a "Registered Office Transfer".

ACF-CI will handle the legal steps to update your RCCM with your new physical address.

That's correct, CEPICI requires proof of a registered address to issue the RCCM. When you use our "no premises" service, we replace the traditional lease agreement with a commercial registered address contract duly registered with the tax authority.

The administration fully accepts this alternative, which allows you to register your company entirely lawfully without renting a physical office.

Our basic registered address service focuses on administrative, tax and mail management (receiving and forwarding your official mail).

We do not provide white-label phone answering on behalf of your company to your clients, but we do provide the legal address essential to your legal existence.

No, not if it's done properly. The DGI is sometimes wary of fake registered addresses or fictitious addresses.

ACF-CI is an officially recognized firm. Our address in Abidjan is a real physical address and our registered address contracts are properly registered according to the rules. Your DFE is therefore guaranteed.

Registration is only the first step. As soon as you obtain your DFE, you are required to file your taxes every month (before the 10th or 15th depending on your regime) on the DGI's e-tax portal, even if you have zero revenue (a "zero declaration").

Forgetting to do so results in heavy penalties.

Yes. To help you avoid late penalties and administrative stress, ACF-CI offers monthly accounting and tax follow-up plans.

Our experts handle your OHADA bookkeeping, your monthly filings (DGI) and your social security contributions (CNPS).

No, that would be too heavy a financial burden for a young company. Outsourcing your accounting to ACF-CI costs a fraction of a full-time accountant's salary, while guaranteeing you the expertise of a professional firm in Abidjan.

The Directorate General of Taxes (DGI) has made it mandatory to use standardized electronic invoices. To do this, you must have an account on the FNE portal.

ACF-CI sets up this account for you as soon as the company is registered, so you can issue compliant invoices to your clients immediately.

Yes and no. CEPICI initiates the request and gives you an employer registration number (if you check the box), but actual activation and managing contributions often requires going in person to a CNPS branch or validating the file online.

ACF-CI assists you with this social security activation process.

Yes, this is mandatory. Even with 0 FCFA in revenue, the law requires you to submit a "zero declaration" on the DGI portal every month.

Forgetting to do so results in automatic penalties from the tax authority (which can go up to 50,000 FCFA per month of delay). ACF-CI's accounting plan protects you from these penalties from day one.

Registration with the National Social Security Fund (CNPS) becomes mandatory as soon as you hire your first employee, or if you, as manager, decide to pay yourself a salary.

ACF-CI can support you with the employer registration process with the CNPS.

No. At the start, if cash flow doesn't allow it, the manager is not required to pay themselves. They can hold their position unpaid.

They will only be compensated later, in the form of dividends at year-end, or through a salary once they decide to (which must then be declared to the DGI and the CNPS).

Yes. As soon as you have your RCCM and DFE, your company has legal existence. You can sign employment contracts.

Just remember to declare these hires to the CNPS and withhold payroll tax (ITS) for the DGI. ACF-CI's accounting team can handle your monthly payslips.

Ivorian labor law is strict. School interns under a formal agreement are not subject to the same contributions as a permanent employee.

However, a fixed-term contract or a regular day laborer must be declared to protect them against workplace accidents. Our HR & Payroll follow-up service helps you classify your employees correctly to pay the right amount of social contributions.

By default, business bank accounts in Cote d'Ivoire are opened in CFA francs (XOF). Opening an account in foreign currency (Euros, Dollars) is subject to very strict BCEAO (regional central bank) regulations.

You must prove that your business requires regular international payments. ACF-CI can advise you on the most flexible banks for this.

This is a right guaranteed by the Ivorian Investment Code. Once your company has paid its taxes (corporate income tax) at year-end, you can declare dividends at your General Meeting.

After paying the tax on investment income (IRVM), you are entirely free to transfer these funds to your bank account in France, in Canada, etc., via a simple, documented international bank transfer.

Yes! It's even essential today. With the RCCM and the DFE that we provide you, you are eligible to open "Merchant" or "Business" accounts with Mobile Money operators.

This allows you to collect payments from your Ivorian clients directly into an account in your company's name.

Yes. If you are a foreign national (outside ECOWAS) and you register a company (LLC, SAS) of which you are the manager or majority partner, your company documents (RCCM, bylaws, DFE) form the core file to apply for your Residence Permit (Resident Card) with the ONECI (National Office of Civil Status and Identification).

Cote d'Ivoire is one of the most open countries in Africa. More than 95% of sectors are open to 100% foreign capital.

Only a few very specific or craft professions require exemptions or a majority of Ivorian capital. During our free consultation, we will immediately confirm the feasibility of your project.

Yes. The Ivorian State increasingly regulates the e-commerce and social media sales sector. If you generate regular income, you must formalize your activity.

A Sole Proprietorship (EI) or a single-member LLC is perfectly suited to secure your activity, reassure your clients and avoid tax reassessments.

For a freelancer, you have two options:

• The Sole Proprietorship: ideal for small budgets and ultra-simplified paperwork
• The single-member LLC: ideal to protect your personal assets and give a very "corporate" image to large companies that subcontract work to you

No, these are two different jurisdictions. ACF-CI specializes in commercial entities governed by OHADA law (LLC, SAS, Sole Proprietorship) via CEPICI.

Registering an NGO or a non-profit Association falls under the Ministry of the Interior (Prefecture) and follows different rules.

Absolutely. A single-member LLC is very flexible. If you find an investor, all you need is a "Transfer of Shares" or a "Capital Increase".

ACF-CI will handle drafting the minutes of the Extraordinary General Meeting and updating your RCCM.

Yes. Any amendment (name change, address change, adding a new activity) is possible throughout the life of the company.

You simply need to make a bylaw amendment with CEPICI/the Commercial Court. Our firm handles these formalities for you.

This is an important question. If your business stops, you should not simply "disappear," or the DGI will keep taxing you arbitrarily.

Two legal options exist: "Dormancy" (temporary suspension of activity for up to 2 years) or "Dissolution-Liquidation" (permanent closure). ACF-CI supports you through these deregistration steps to properly close your tax file.

The RCCM gives you exclusivity over your trade name in Cote d'Ivoire only as a legal entity. However, it does not protect your "Trademark" or your "Logo."

To prevent a competitor from copying your brand, you must register it with OAPI (the African Intellectual Property Organization), which will protect you in 17 African countries.

As a consulting firm, ACF-CI can connect you with OAPI-accredited agents to secure your visual identity, patents or trademarks, alongside the registration of your company.