Introduction
Cameroon is experiencing a boom in entrepreneurship—from tech startups in Douala to agro-business ventures in the Northwest. However, many new businesses fail not because of bad ideas, but because of legal missteps. Choosing the wrong business structure, ignoring compliance obligations, or skipping legal registration can cost you dearly down the line.
At Footprint Attorneys, we walk entrepreneurs and corporations through the entire lifecycle of business formation and legal structuring—from startup to scaling.
1. 🏢 Choosing the Right Business Structure
Under OHADA Law, businesses in Cameroon can take several forms. Each has unique legal, tax, and operational implications:
➤ Sole Proprietorship
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Suitable for individual entrepreneurs
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Easy to set up, but offers no liability protection
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Profits taxed as personal income
➤ Limited Liability Company (SARL)
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Most common structure for small to medium businesses
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Offers liability protection and flexible ownership
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Requires at least one shareholder and minimum capital
➤ Public Limited Company (SA)
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Ideal for large enterprises or those seeking investors
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Requires a board of directors and stricter compliance
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Can issue shares publicly
➤ Non-Profit Association (ONG)
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Structured for charitable, religious, or community goals
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Subject to registration with the Ministry of Territorial Administration
🧭 Legal Tip: The right structure depends on your risk exposure, investor goals, and tax expectations. We help clients compare options and register their business legally.
2. 📑 Company Registration: Steps to Legitimacy
To operate legally in Cameroon, businesses must:
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Draft Incorporation Documents – Articles of Association, company statutes, etc.
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Notarize Legal Instruments – Including shareholder agreements
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Register at the One-Stop Shop (CFCE) – To obtain business licenses and tax ID
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Declare Activity – With CNPS (social security) and relevant sector ministries
📎 Missing just one of these steps can invalidate your operations or expose you to sanctions.
3. 🧾 Compliance and Ongoing Obligations
Once registered, companies must maintain legal compliance, including:
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Annual tax returns and financial reporting
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Renewing business licenses
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Filing board resolutions and shareholder changes
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Employee registration with CNPS
We offer corporate secretarial services to keep your company compliant without administrative burden.
4. 💼 Partnership Agreements & Shareholder Protection
In multi-founder ventures, legal clarity prevents future conflicts. We assist in drafting:
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Shareholder Agreements
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Partnership Deeds
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Non-disclosure and IP clauses
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Exit strategies and dispute resolution mechanisms
🔐 Without proper agreements, small disputes can grow into major lawsuits.
5. 🚀 Investor Readiness & Scaling Legally
Are you preparing for funding? Expanding operations? We help clients:
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Restructure for investor onboarding
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Conduct legal audits and due diligence
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Register trademarks and patents
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Comply with OHADA and international business laws
From seed to scale, we’re your legal partner.
Why Work With Footprint Attorneys?
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🎓 Lawyers trained in Cameroon, Nigeria, and abroad
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🧩 Tailored corporate solutions for startups and institutions
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⚖️ Mastery of OHADA & Cameroonian commercial law
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🤝 End-to-end legal support: incorporation, compliance, litigation
Final Word
Starting a business is exciting—but skipping legal steps is a risk no serious entrepreneur should take. At Footprint Attorneys, we provide smart legal structuring so you can focus on growth, not legal headaches.
Ready to Launch Legally? Let’s Talk
📞 Call us: +237 671 169 950 | +237 654 267 274
📧 Email: tidzemedwin@gmail.com | bongyiij@gmail.com
📍 Offices: Douala, Bamenda
🖱️ Request a Business Formation Consultation – [Get Started]