One of the first questions many entrepreneurs or foreign investors ask when they’re about to register a company in Cameroon is whether they must deposit the capital before registration.
It’s a simple question, but one that creates a lot of confusion — because people hear different answers depending on who they ask.

The truth is straightforward: yes, in some cases, you do. But it depends on the amount of capital you declare and the structure of your company.

If you’re registering a SARL (Private Limited Company) — which is the most common business form for small and medium enterprises — and your authorized capital is more than 1,000,000 FCFA, the law requires you to deposit that amount before registration.

When you make this deposit, you’ll open a blocked account in the name of your company “under formation.” That means, for example, “ABC SARL en formation.”
Once the deposit is made, the bank will issue a certificate of capital deposit — known in French as attestation de dépôt de capital.
This certificate confirms that your capital has been legally deposited and that the company has the means to start its activities.

The next step is handled by the notary, who uses this certificate to finalize your company’s statutes and authenticate the company creation deed. The notary ensures that all the legal and procedural requirements are met before your file goes to the Trade and Personal Property Credit Register (RCCM).

Now, in practice, banks sometimes take a little longer to issue this certificate. In those cases, the notary may temporarily acknowledge that the deposit has been made, based on proof such as a transfer receipt. But officially, the certificate always comes from the bank. The notary’s job is to confirm and certify, not to issue the document.

If your authorized capital is less than 1,000,000 FCFA, you’re not required to deposit it in advance. You’ll simply declare that the funds will be paid later, once your business account is opened after registration.
This makes it much easier for small entrepreneurs, startups, and family businesses to formalize their operations without the immediate pressure of locking money in the bank.

The choice of where you register your company also matters.
If you already have a physical office, your registration will be done under the tax center closest to that address — for example, Bonaberi for Douala-based businesses, or Buea for those in the Southwest.
If you don’t have a permanent office yet, we can guide you to choose a flexible, compliant option that fits your business situation.

Depositing your capital isn’t just about following the law. It’s about showing seriousness and structure. It’s one of the first steps that gives your company credibility — with clients, with suppliers, and even with your own partners. It tells people that your business isn’t just an idea anymore, but something real and financially grounded.

At OpenHub Consulting Ltd, we help entrepreneurs at every stage of this process. From preparing your registration documents, to guiding you through the capital deposit, to obtaining your registration certificate — we make sure you start right.
We also handle your follow-up compliance, so that your company doesn’t just start, but runs and grows sustainably.

Whether your capital is 500,000 or 5 million FCFA, the principle is the same — do it right, and you’ll save yourself unnecessary headaches later.
Our goal is to make the process transparent, fast, and stress-free. So you can focus on what matters most — building your business.

If you’re planning to start or restructure your company in Cameroon, we’re here to guide you through every step — from concept to compliance.

Start. Run. Grow your Business in Cameroon — the right way.
📍 Bonamoussadi, Douala | 🌍 openhubconsulting.com | 📞 +237 683 82 36 32

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