When starting a new business, one of the first questions you’ll face is:
“How much capital should I declare for my company?”

Many entrepreneurs in Cameroon don’t give this enough thought. They simply pick a round number, assuming it’s just a formality for registration. But your authorized capital is much more than that — it defines the financial identity and credibility of your company.

At OpenHub Consulting, we help business owners understand this concept clearly because it can affect your growth, reputation, and opportunities from day one.

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What Is Authorized Capital?

Authorized capital, also called share capital, is the total amount that the shareholders agree to contribute when forming a company.
It represents the company’s initial strength — the financial base on which your business will operate.

Let’s say you and two partners decide to create a SARL (Private Limited Company) with an authorized capital of 1,500,000 FCFA.
If you contribute 750,000 FCFA, you own 50% of the company.
Your partners’ shares are based on their own contributions.

This capital will be recorded in your company’s statutes and registration documents, and it’s what gives your company a formal structure under OHADA law.

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Why Authorized Capital Matters

Your authorized capital tells the world how serious your business is.
It’s the first number investors, banks, and clients look at to judge whether your company has real capacity or is just another idea on paper.

A company with a capital of 100,000 FCFA may find it hard to win public tenders, sign big contracts, or attract partners — not because it’s incapable, but because the numbers don’t show financial reliability.

Meanwhile, a company registered with 2 million FCFA or more sends a different message: we’re ready for business, we have structure, and we have skin in the game.

That’s why the amount you declare shouldn’t be random.
It should reflect the size, ambition, and sector of your company.

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Choosing the Right Capital for Company Registration in Cameroon

In Cameroon, there’s no fixed minimum capital required for a SARL (Private Limited Company).
You can register a company with just 100,000 FCFA, but the capital you choose should align with your goals.

Here’s how to think about it:

• Small service businesses (consulting, freelancing, or agencies) can start with 500,000–1,000,000 FCFA.
• Trading or logistics companies should consider at least 1,500,000–3,000,000 FCFA for credibility.
• Industrial or import/export businesses often declare 5,000,000 FCFA and above to meet partner expectations.

Authorized capital doesn’t mean you must keep all that money frozen.
It’s deposited into a company bank account under formation, and you can use it later for operations once registration is complete.

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Can You Change Your Authorized Capital Later?

Yes, you can.
Under OHADA law, a company can increase or reduce its authorized capital at any time through a formal amendment process.

When you grow, take on investors, or want to expand into new markets, you can raise your capital to match your progress.
That flexibility makes it easier to adapt your structure to your business journey.

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How OpenHub Consulting Helps

Many entrepreneurs get stuck on this step because they’re unsure how much capital to declare or how to handle the deposit.
That’s where we come in.

At OpenHub Consulting Ltd, we guide you from start to finish — helping you determine the right amount for your business, assisting with the capital deposit certificate, and managing the entire company registration process in Cameroon.

We also provide accounting, tax, and payroll services to help you stay compliant and financially organized after registration.

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Final Thoughts

Authorized capital is more than a number — it’s your company’s first impression.
It speaks before you do. It tells clients, partners, and authorities that you mean business.

Set it right from the beginning, and you’ll position your company for growth, stability, and respect.

Start. Run. Grow your Business in Cameroon — the right way.
For company registration in Cameroon, you can contact us:
📍 Bonamoussadi, Douala | 🌍 openhubconsulting.com | 📞 +237 683 82 36 32

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