When starting a company in Cameroon, many entrepreneurs look for shortcuts. And one of the most tempting shortcuts is to download sample Articles of Association (AOA) or Memorandum of Association (MOA) from the internet. At first glance, it seems like a smart way to save time and avoid legal fees. But in reality, this is one of the biggest mistakes you can make when forming a business.

Let’s break down why.

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Why Entrepreneurs Copy Online Templates

Most business owners do it for simple reasons:

• They want to register quickly
• They want to avoid the cost of consulting a professional
• They believe “all company documents are the same”
• They assume a template from another country will still work
• They think no one checks the content anyway

Unfortunately, all these assumptions are wrong.

Your company’s founding documents must comply with OHADA Law, which governs commercial companies across 17 African countries, including Cameroon.
A generic online template almost never respects these requirements.

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Why OHADA Compliance Matters

OHADA is a uniform legal framework that controls:

• Company formation
• Capital structure
• Management powers
• Decision-making processes
• Partner rights and obligations
• Dispute resolution

When your documents fail to follow these rules, several problems arise.

1. Your company may be rejected at registration

CFCE examiners and court officers at the RCCM know exactly what should be included in company documents.
If your AOA or MOA is missing compulsory clauses, your file will be rejected. This delays your registration and increases cost.

2. Banks may refuse to open a company account

Banks in Cameroon verify:

• Your management structure
• How capital is allocated
• Decision-making procedures

If your documents look incomplete or inconsistent, they will simply tell you to redo them.

3. You expose yourself to future legal disputes

Imagine a partner decides to withdraw from the company.
Or a disagreement arises about profits.
Or you want to increase your capital.

If your Articles don’t clearly define the rules, you will have no legal protection — and no reference point.

This mistake causes real financial and personal damage.

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Why Online Templates Are Dangerous

Most templates you find online come from:

• Nigeria’s CAC system
• UK or US legal structures
• Ghana’s Registrar General
• Random legal blogs
• Students or amateurs sharing drafts

These systems do not follow OHADA rules.

Here are the common problems:

• They use wrong terminology
• They apply foreign company laws
• They omit mandatory OHADA clauses
• They don’t define management powers correctly
• They skip dispute and exit procedures
• They include illegal clauses
• They lack notarization requirements

So instead of helping you, these documents create hidden risks.

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The Real Cost of “Free Templates”

You may think you’re saving money today.
But you’ll pay more later — in corrections, delays, penalties, or disputes.

Common consequences include:

• Paying twice for new documents
• Updating your RCCM registration
• Repeating the bank procedures
• Redoing tax registration
• Losing partners due to unclear clauses

Sometimes, people even have to dissolve the company and register a new one.

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How to Avoid This Mistake

The solution is simple:
Use OHADA-compliant documents prepared by professionals.

A proper AOA or MOA should be drafted by:

• A notary
• A corporate consultant
• A legal expert who understands OHADA
• A CFCE officer (for capital under 1,000,000 FCFA if you choose that route)

These professionals ensure:

• Every clause fits your business
• Your capital is structured correctly
• Partner roles are clear
• Decision-making is well-defined
• Your company is legally protected

This is not just paperwork — it’s the foundation of your business.

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Copying company documents online is one shortcut that costs more in the long run.
Your Articles and Memorandum of Association are legal documents, not templates you can mix and match.

Your business deserves better.
Your future deserves protection.
And your company must be built on solid legal ground.

If you want AOA and MOA that meet OHADA requirements and reflect the reality of your business, we can help you prepare them the right way from the start.

Start. Structure. Grow your Business the Right Way.
🌍 openhubconsulting.com
📞 +237 683 82 36 32