Starting a company in Chad comes with a series of fees, charges, and quiet little costs that aren’t always listed on glossy brochures or government websites. Some are fixed, some depend on the nature of your business, and some simply arise from the reality of doing things in person. This guide lays out what you’ll need to spend to register a company in Chad—with no gloss, no fluff, just a very real, deeply human walk through every cost that counts.
Government registration fees
At the heart of the registration process is the Registre du Commerce et du Crédit Mobilier (RCCM). This is the official body where your company becomes real in the eyes of Chadian law. Whether you’re forming a SARL (private limited company), SA (public limited company), or another legal form, the RCCM fees form the first layer of expenses.
Typical RCCM registration costs include:
- Basic registration fee: Around 50,000 to 100,000 XAF, depending on the legal form
- Stamp duties and administrative taxes: 15,000 to 30,000 XAF
- Publication costs for legal announcements: 50,000 to 80,000 XAF
These are the essentials, the costs that no one escapes. You walk into the registry with your paperwork, and this is the price of entering the system. It doesn’t matter how small or ambitious your business is—if you’re going to exist legally, you pay this upfront.
Notary fees
In Chad, there is no escaping the notary. But it comes with a cost.
- Notarization of company statutes: 100,000 to 250,000 XAF, depending on complexity
- Certification of supporting documents: 10,000 to 30,000 XAF per document
Prices vary because humans vary. Some notaries work faster, and more efficiently. Others are more generous with their time, and yes, that has a cost. But in Chad, relationships matter—so building rapport with a good notary often pays off in smoother approvals and fewer repeat visits.
Legal publication fees
By law, your company’s formation must be published in a recognized legal journal. This is not just a formality—it’s how the business community is informed that your company now exists. Legal announcement in a government-approved journal is 50,000 to 80,000 XAF. This fee usually includes drafting, formatting, and handling the publication process. It’s one of those invisible steps that many overlook, but without it, your company registration is incomplete.
Business license and tax registration
Once your company is registered, it must be declared to the tax authorities. You’ll be issued a Numéro d’Identification Fiscale (NIF), your company’s fiscal identity. The registration itself is free, but there are additional charges tied to your sector and region.
- Professional license (Patente) fees: Varies – from 100,000 to 500,000 XAF annually, depending on business activity
- Tax stamps or fiscal seals: 10,000 to 20,000 XAF
This is where things get real. Every business in Chad is expected to pay its share, and these early tax-related expenses are your entry ticket into the formal economic structure.
Translation and documentation costs
If your original documents are in a language other than French (Chad’s official language), you’ll need certified translations. These costs can sneak up on you.
- Certified translation services: 15,000 to 30,000 XAF per page
Many international entrepreneurs underestimate this. But in Chad, precision matters, especially in legal documents. Misunderstood clauses can delay your entire registration.
Bank account opening and capital deposit
If your company formation requires a minimum capital deposit—especially for an SA—you’ll need to deposit this into a business bank account and get a certificate of deposit.
- Bank fees for opening a company account: 10,000 to 50,000 XAF
- Minimum capital deposit: Depends on company type – SARL: no minimum legally required, but banks may suggest 100,000 XAF or more
Some banks charge administrative fees or require monthly maintenance charges. It’s all part of the operational side of legal existence.
Optional but real costs
Some costs aren’t mandatory by law, but skipping them can slow you down:
- Legal or business consultant fees: 100,000 to 300,000 XAF, if you hire help to navigate the process
- Courier fees or travel costs: Especially if you’re registering in N’Djamena but live elsewhere
- Photocopies, prints, passport photos: It sounds minor, but these tiny charges pile up—budget at least 10,000 XAF just for document preparation
Final thoughts
Registering a company in Chad is not just a series of signatures and stamps—it’s an experience that unfolds step by step, office by office, human to human. The total cost can vary widely, but a realistic average for a basic SARL registration ranges from 300,000 to 700,000 XAF, depending on your approach. Add another layer if you’re doing this from abroad or through intermediaries.
There’s paperwork, sure. But beneath the layers of procedure, there’s a country eager to see its entrepreneurs succeed. Each fee is not just a barrier—it’s part of a living, breathing ecosystem that still runs on trust, presence, and persistence. So show up, pay what’s needed, ask what’s fair, and step forward knowing every franc spent is an investment in something real.
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