Run a business across the six CEMAC states.
A walkthrough for founders and in-house teams: incorporate under OHADA, contract & sign electronically, manage the contract lifecycle, and stay on top of every tax, social and sector filing.
Six member states, one OHADA framework.
- Cameroon
Bijural — OHADA applies in both civil and common-law regions.
- Gabon
OHADA · CFA franc (XAF).
- Congo-Brazzaville
OHADA · DGID filings.
- Chad
OHADA · DGI Tchad filings.
- Central African Republic
OHADA · DGID RCA.
- Equatorial Guinea
OHADA · Spanish & French working languages.
Incorporate under OHADA.
- 1
Choose an OHADA entity
SARL (≥ 100,000 XAF capital, single member allowed), SAS (free capital, flexible governance), SA (10M XAF minimum, board required) or GIE for joint ventures. ALECS recommends based on liability, tax exposure and investor expectations.
- 2
Name search & reservation at the RCCM
We run the name search at the local Registre du Commerce et du Crédit Mobilier and reserve it for 90 days. Output: name-availability certificate, attached to your incorporation pack.
- 3
Notarised articles & capital deposit
Articles of association are drafted to the AUSCGIE, signed before a CEMAC notary, and capital is deposited at a local bank with an attestation de dépôt. Required for SARL and SA; optional for SAS where statutes allow private signature.
- 4
Tax & social registration
Single-window registration via the CFCE / GUFE: tax ID (NIU), VAT (TVA) if turnover thresholds are met, CNPS (Cameroon) / CNSS (Gabon, Congo, Chad, CAR, Eq. Guinea) for social contributions.
- 5
RCCM filing & journal publication
File the incorporation packet at the RCCM and publish the legal notice in an authorised journal d'annonces légales. Certificate of incorporation issued, typically within 3–10 business days.
Register your brand and IP with OAPI.
Incorporation gives you a legal entity; OAPI gives you a brand. OAPI is the regional IP office for 17 francophone African states (including all 6 CEMAC members). A single OAPI filing protects you in every member state — there is no national alternative.
- 1
Trademark search & class selection
We search the OAPI register for prior marks and pick the Nice classes (1–45) that cover your products and services.
- 2
File the application at OAPI Yaoundé
Single application, single fee, protection in all 17 member states. Filing in French; ALECS handles the dossier and the power of attorney.
- 3
Publication & opposition window
OAPI publishes in the BOPI; 6-month opposition window. We monitor for objections and reply with arguments where needed.
- 4
Certificate of registration
Typically issued 8–14 months after filing. Trademark valid 10 years, renewable indefinitely. Renewal reminders auto-load into your compliance calendar.
- 5
Patents & industrial designs
Same single-filing principle: patents protected for 20 years (annuities due each year), industrial designs for 5 years × up to 3 terms.
- 6
Plant varieties & utility models
OAPI also covers plant breeders' rights and utility models — useful for agritech and hardware startups operating across francophone Africa.
Draft, sign and manage agreements.
OHADA-compliant templates
150+ templates aligned to the AUDCG (commercial law), AUSCGIE (companies), AUS (security interests), AUDT (labour, where applicable) and the OHADA Uniform Act on the Law of Obligations.
Legally binding e-signature
Compliant with the OHADA Uniform Act on Electronic Transactions and national e-signature laws (e.g. Cameroon Law No. 2010/021, Gabon Ordonnance 000015/PR/2018). Full audit trail with PAdES-LTV sealing.
Contract lifecycle
Draft → review → negotiation → signature → active → renewal/escalation. Renewal alerts respect French-language notice clauses (préavis) and CEMAC business-day calendars.
Per-country compliance calendar.
The filings ALECS pre-loads when you add an entity in a CEMAC state. Reminders go to the assigned owner and reviewer.
| Country | Filing | Due | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cameroon | DSF (Déclaration Statistique et Fiscale) | 15 March | Annual tax + SYSCOHADA financial statements filed with DGI. |
| Cameroon | CNPS monthly contributions | 15th of following month | Auto-drafted from payroll; reviewer confirms headcount before payment. |
| Gabon | DSF Gabon (DGI) | 30 April | SYSCOHADA accounts + tax annexes. Late filing: 1M XAF + 1% per month. |
| Gabon | CNSS contributions (quarterly) | Last day of month after quarter | Drafted from HR data; submitted via e-CNSS. |
| Congo-Brazzaville | Déclaration annuelle des résultats | 20 May | DGID filing alongside SYSCOHADA financial statements. |
| Chad | Patente & impôt sur les sociétés | 30 April | DGI Tchad — annual corporate tax and business licence renewal. |
| Central African Republic | DSF RCA | 30 April | DGID filing; aligned to SYSCOHADA fiscal year. |
| Equatorial Guinea | Impuesto de Sociedades | 30 April | Corporate tax return; bilingual (ES/FR) workflow. |
| Regional | CIMA insurance filings | Quarterly | Required if licensed under the CIMA Code (insurance & reinsurance carriers). |
| Regional | COBAC prudential returns | Monthly / quarterly | Required for CEMAC-licensed banks and microfinance institutions. |
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