A foreign national wishing to register and own a company in Kenya may do so without a Kenyan director or shareholder. He or she can register a private limited company, branch foreign company or subsidiary of the foreign company.
However, there are certain sectors where Kenyan shareholding is required eg.

  • Banking and financial Institutions.
  • Betting Companies
  • Recruitment companies
  • Security Companies
  • telecommunication sector
  • mining sector

A foreigner having a private limited company in Kenya is required to have a work permit so that the bank can open a bank account for the company.

contact ocl business associates for more information if you are a foreigner wishing to operate a bank  account for the company.

foreigners can register and fully own companies in Kenya. They can do so without needing a local partner in most cases. However, certain sectors like telecommunications, insurance, and banking may have restrictions on foreign ownership.

Registration Process:

  • eCitizen Portal:

Foreigners need to register on the eCitizen portal to obtain company registration documents.

  • Company PIN:

Upon registration, they must obtain a company Personal Identification Number (PIN).

  • NSSF and SHA:

They also need to register with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and the Social Health Authority (SHA).

Legal Structures for Foreigners:

  • Private Limited Company (Ltd):This is the most common structure for foreign investors.
  • Branch Office:Foreign companies can set up a branch in Kenya without incorporating a local entity.
  • Subsidiary Company:A Kenyan company wholly or partially owned by a foreign parent company.
  • Limited Liability Partnership (LLP):A hybrid model combining partnership flexibility and corporate protection.
  • Sole Proprietorship:Foreigners can also register as sole proprietors.

Important Considerations:

  • Compliance:Compliance with immigration and tax laws is crucial.
  • Sectoral Restrictions:Some sectors may have specific ownership requirements.
  • Work Permits:Foreign employees need work permits to work legally in Kenya.