Somaliland
Corporate Guide

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

A natural person should submit a statement of formation (notice of intent) with the Ministry, that serves as the custodian of the Companies Registry. 

The statement of formation, which can either be in Somali or English, should state: 

• the name of the company;
• the physical and mailing address of the company’s principal office;
• names and contact details of its promoters and names of the management or managers of the company;
• that there is at least one member of the company; and
• any other matters relating to the company or the statement of formation the person forming the company determines to include therein. 

A company is formed when the statement of formation and standard application form is filed with the Ministry and the fact that the statement of formation is on file in the records of the Minister of Commerce is notice that the company is a company and is a notice of all the facts stated therein.

The application for the formation or incorporation of a company should be accompanied by:

• the memorandum and articles of association of the company;
• the national identity card or passport of each applicant;
• a recent colour photograph of each member; and
• a notarised power of attorney for any agent acting on behalf of the company seeking incorporation.

There is a seven-step online process for business registration and licensing through the Business Registration and Licensing System (BRLS) on the Ministry of Trade and Tourism’s website. It can be accessed here: Somaliland Business Registration and Licensing Services – Doing Business Made Easier (govsomaliland.org)