Gambia
Corporate Guide

What is the process of setting up a company in Gambia?

Setting up a company is done through the Registrar of Companies (Registrar) and the process is as follows:

Taking instructions from the promoters

This involves obtaining all the information required for the preparation of the incorporation documents. The information required includes:

• The proposed name, which is subjected to a name search in the Companies Registry to ensure it is not undesirable, offensive or against public policy The name must also not be identical to an existing registered name or so similar so as to deceive the public. 
• The principal activities of the company.
• The proposed address, which must be in The Gambia, along with the place of operation.
• The intended share capital, including the total amount of capital and how it will be divided. 
• The number of shares to be subscribed to and to whom. 
• The shareholders – a minimum of two shareholders is required.
• A minimum of two directors and a secretary – at least one director must be a resident of The Gambia. 

Preparing the incorporation documents i.e. memos and articles

The constitutional documents of the company are then drafted. These documents include the memorandum of association and the articles of association. They contain the fundamental conditions upon which the company is incorporated. Generally, they define what the company is and how its affairs will be run.

Registration

Next, there is payment of the required fees, filing the incorporation documents with the Registrar and obtaining a certificate of incorporation.

The required fees are paid to the Office of the Registrar of Companies. These include:

• The incorporation fee
• The registration fee
• The name reservation fee

Subsequent to this, a tax identification number (TIN) for the company must be obtained from The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA). The Memorandum of Association and the Articles of Association of the company are then filed and stamped. The newly incorporated company is issued with a certificate of incorporation and business certificate.