Quick info guide

Requirements to obtain a business license

✓ Filled and signed application form
✓ Certificate of Commercial registration
✓ Photocopies of  identification card or valid passport
✓ The passport size photographs of the manager taken in the last six months
✓ Original copies of memorandum and articles of association
✓ Certificate of Competence
✓ The exact address of the head office and branch offices of the business if any
✓ A bank statement showing the capital of the business organization

Estimated time to complete

o For commercial registration: 30 minutes - 1 hour
o For company name registration: 25 minutes
o For business licence: 30 minutes - 1 hour
o (All in one [1] working day) 
*Name clearance may take up to 30 days


Fees

o For commercial registration: 102 ETB
o For company name: 27 ETB
o For business licence: 102 ETB


TIN registration

Apply for TIN

Where? Ministry of Revenues

1. Download the Application Form
2. Print the form on a clean white A4 or letter size paper.
3. Complete fields and submit

Obtaining a business license in Ethiopia

The Ministry of Trade and Industry is the main institution responsible for registering a business in Ethiopia. It is prohibited to engage in any commercial activity unless registered in a commercial register; and according to Proclamation No. 980/2016, no person shall engage in business activity without acquiring a business license.

To simplify the procedure of registration, the Ministry of Trade and Industry provides its services through a system called Online Trade Registration and Licensing System (OTRLS).

Registering your business: Steps to follow

The first step is to identifying the desired form of business.

Commercial registration procedure and requirements

Requirements for commercial registration

Registration of business forms other than share company

Summary of procedure for commercial registration

Cancellation of commercial registration

Reasons registration may be cancelled

Registration of a company name

Guidelines to registering a company name

Procedures to obtain a business license

Conditions to obtain a business license

Renewal of a business license

Step to follow to renew a business license

Suspension of a business license

Reasons a license may be suspended

Cancellation of a business license

Grounds for cancellation of a business license

Contact information; Where to register

Contact details and useful links