The Republic of Benin is located in West Africa. The Benin economy is based on agriculture, regional trade, and cotton production. Benin's GDP growth is estimated at 5,%1. Economic growth was mainly stimulated by Benin's cotton industry and other cash crops, the Port of Cotonou, and telecommunications.
Disclaimer: Be aware that this article is not a substitute for legal advice. Please always check official websites or seek legal advice before you take action.
Sole proprietorship in Benin
An individual running a commercial business on their own responsibility is considered as a sole proprietor. That person is considered the sole manager of a business, responsible for all its profits and debts. There is also no minimum capital required to start a sole trading business in Benin.
How to register a sole proprietorship in Benin
The procedure of registering a sole proprietorship in Benin is very simple and straightforward. If you are a woman, you need to obtain a marriage certificate for a national ID. You can obtain it at the Municipality (Mairie de Cotonou). This procedure takes no longer than a day.
Register a trade name
The next important step is to register a unique trade name. To check the availability of the names, use this website. When you decide on the name, head to One-Stop-Shop (Agence de Promotion des Investissements et des Exportations - APIEX) to register it.
Opening a bank account
You would need to open a dedicated bank account for all the business transactions and to deposit the proprietorship's capital. That is necessary for APIEX formalities.
