How To Start A Business in Sudan
Starting (Registering) a Business in Sudan
Starting a business, or company, in Sudan takes approximately 36 days as compared to about 46 days for the Sub-Saharan Africa region. This piece outlines the general technical procedures for starting a company in Sudan, according to the Doingbusiness.org database by the World Bank. It includes details and requirements to be in good standing with all relevant agencies beyond the company registrar like social security agencies.
Use this as a guide while you complete the process and consult with agents carrying out work on your behalf.
| No. | Procedure | Time to Complete | Associated Costs |
|---|
| | 1 | Apply for registration and Reserve a company name
Agency: Commercial Registrar of Companies
To apply for registration, the entrepreneur must submit an informal draft copy of the company memorandum and articles of association including the company objectives, nominal capital, capital distribution, and the names of founding shareholders whether natural or legal personalities, to the Companies Registrar for preliminary approval. This is accompanied by a request containing the required legal stamps and name reservation form proposing potential company names subject to availability.
The preliminary approval to proceed with the company registration is usually issued by the Companies Registrar within 2-3 days, along with additional rules and guidelines to be incorporated within the provided Articles and Memorandum of Association before submission in its final form.
The Companies Registrar may reject granting the preliminary approval if a similar or identical company name already exists. |
3 days |
SDG 200 |
|---|
| | 2 | Notarize the memorandum and articles of association
Agency: Notary
Three copies of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, along with Forms C2 and C2a must be completed according to the rules contained under the preliminary approval. These forms must be signed by all founding shareholders, and authenticated by a designated lawyer with authentication authority. |
2 days |
SDG 350 |
|---|
| | 3 | Notify the taxation chambers
Agency: Taxation chambers
Before applying for final approval and registration, the company must submit a preliminary approval request to the Taxation Chamber, along with the memorandum and articles of association duly stamped by the Chamber in acknowledgement of the notification, and Forms C2 and C2a. These documents shall then be submitted before the Zakat Chamber for its approval. |
1 day |
0.2% of start up capital |
|---|
| | 4 | Register with the commercial registry
Agency: Commercial Registry
Stamps must be affixed to the Articles and Memorandum of Association. The company documents, including Forms C2 and C2a and a copy of the lease agreement or property certificate of the company premises, must be submitted to the Commercial Registrar to finalize the company registration. |
4 days |
Stamp duty and other application/administrative fees (see comment) |
|---|
| | 5 | Receive site inspection
Agency: Companies’ Registry
A representative from the Companies’ Registry inspects the company premises to confirm its existence before delivering the certificate of incorporation. It is also mandatory for the company to obtain and post a sign board on the exterior of its office/business location. |
2 days |
no charge |
|---|
| | 6 | Apply for a tax identification number (TIN)
Agency: Taxation chambers
The following documents are required to apply for a tax identification number:
- Shareholder information
- Memorandum and articles of association (notarized)
- Certificate of incorporation (two copies)
- Completed registration forms
- Company resolution delegating a person to act on the company's behalf |
1 day on average |
SDG 5 |
|---|
| | 7 | Register for VAT
Agency: Taxation chambers
The company registers for VAT at a separate department within the same building. It is not mandatory to register for VAT at the same time. |
2 days |
no charge |
|---|
| | 8 | Register with the labor authorities
Agency: Labor authorities
The company must deposit the basic work and penalties regulations with the competent labor office. |
14 days |
SDG 192 |
|---|
| | 9 | Enroll employees in social security
Agency: Social Insurance Fund
The company must subscribe to the Social Insurance Fund. The required documents for this procedure are:
- Copy of Company Certificate of Incorporation and Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Completed registration form
Simultaneously, the company registers its employees for social insurance. The social insurance registration procedure is free of charge, and requires the submission of the following documents:
- List of the employees' names and salaries
- Completed registration form |
5 days on average |
SDG 25 |
|---|
| | 10 | Make a company seal
Agency: Seal maker
The cost to make a company seal depends on the kind of material used. Costs vary starting at SDG 50 per seal. |
2 days |
SDG 50 - SDG 80 |
|---|