How to Start A Business in Togo?

Starting a business in Togo is simple. The World Bank Doing Business Report 2020 ranked Togo 15th of 190 countries in the “Starting a Business” category. That is a huge jump compared to 74th in 2019.

Togolese and ECOWAS nationals as well as all other foreigners residing in Togo can create companies. The necessary papers are registered and maintained with the Center de Formalités des Entreprises (CFE).

What does it mean to be a company in Togo?

When one or more persons decide to allocate property in cash or in kind to an activity, with the aim of profiting from the resulting savings, they create a company or a legal entity. This is a legal entity independent of those who created it.

Anyone with full legal capacity can set up a business with a 99 year term.

How much does it cost to create a company in Togo?

It is not expensive to set up a company in Togo. There are two different prices depending on whether you are an ECOWAS national:

  • 29,250 CFA francs for Togolese and ECOWAS nationals;
  • 34,250 CFA francs for foreigners (non-ECOWAS nationals).

What documents are needed to start a company in Togo?

If you are Togolese or a national from another ECOWAS country (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone), then you will need the following:

  • A completed CFE questionnaire form;
  • A photocopy of the national identity card for Togolese, your consular card for ECOWAS nationals or passport;
  • A declaration on the honor of non-conviction;
  • Three (03) copies of articles of association;
  • Passport photo of the manager or director of the company;
  • A drawn map of your business location

If you are a foreign resident of Togo then you will need the following documents:

  • A completed CFE questionnaire form;
  • A photocopy of your passport;
  • A photocopy of your residence permit or visa;
  • A declaration on the honor of non-conviction;
  • Three (03) copies of articles of association;
  • Passport photo of the manager or director of the company;
  • A drawn map of your business location