Côte d’Ivoire

General Information on the Best Structuring Option(s) of the Proposed Local Company Côte d’Ivoire is part of a regional organization that aimed at harmonizing business law of about 14 francophone jurisdictions, the Organization for Harmonization of Business Law in Africa (‘OHADA’). As a result, OHADA company law applies to Côte d’Ivoire.

Under OHADA company law, there are many corporate structures that can be used to incorporate a local entity. Thes include general partnership, private limited company, limited liability partnership (LLC), public Limited Company (PLC), Consortium, branch, and representation or liaison office. The most common type of company used in group structures is the limited liability company (LLC) also known by its French acronym SARL (société à responsabilié limitée) and the public limited company (PLC) also known by its French acronym SA (société anonyme). In addition, some investors prefer to incorporate their local entity using a simplified form of SA company also known by its French acronym SAS (société anonyme simplifiée).