The Kingdom of Eswatini (until 2018 the Kingdom of Swaziland) is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. It is one of the smallest states in Africa. Starting a business, or company, in The Kingdom of Eswatini takes approximately 61 days as compared to about 46 days for the Sub-Saharan Africa region. If you are planning to register a company in Eswatini and open a corporate account with an Eswatini bank, then take a look to the following.

How to open a company in Eswatini

Firstly a unique Company name has to be reserved in the company register before registration of the company. This involves searching from our registers (manual and automated) if the name is available and free for use. This process is done over the counter and available online. If the chosen name is free for registration, a reply in writing or a reply online will be given where upon a fee of E20.00 (Twenty Emalangeni) shall be paid at the government revenue offices for the name to be reserved. The name shall be reserved for a period of three months after which it will expire and may be reserved by anyone.

Once this process has been done, Memorandums an Articles of Association will then be lodged with the office of The Registrar of Companies in Swaziland. Such other documents will include:

– memorandums and articles of association
– reservation application and reply
– form E/TF 42 (notice of company registered office/application for annual license)
– directors Tax clearance certificates
– directors Identity Documents
– declaration of Compliance
– payment receipt of E 20.00 (Twenty Emalangeni) for company name reservation
– payment receipts for company registration (depending on Nominal Capital)

Payment fees where Nominal capital does not exceed E10.000 > (E625.00)
– does not exceed E 30.000 > (E925.00)
– does not exceed E 50.000 > (E1300.00)
– exceeds E 50.000 < (E1825.00)
– Foreign companies to be registered locally

A foreign company shall within 21 (twenty one) days after establishing a place of business in Swaziland lodge with the office of the Registrar of Companies in compliance with the Companies Act;

A certified copy of the memorandum and Certificate of Incorporation of the company in English and if not written in English a certified translation in English from the country of origin. A notice of a registered office in Swaziland which shall be a place located in premises to which all communications be addressed to and delivered.
A registered postal address to which all mail notices may be served to.
The name and addresses of the auditor of the company in Swaziland.
Each director if permanently employed will provide his full forenames, surnames, or any other name, his nationality, occupation, his relevant qualifications, his residential, business, and postal address, proof of compliance with the immigration laws and his date of appointment in the company.
The local manager, secretaries and any other member of the executive will also submit their full forenames, surname, nationality occupation, relevant qualifications, their residential, business and postal addresses, proof of compliance with immigration laws and their appointment in the company.

It will take a period of seven days to register a company. A Form J will be lodged within 21 days from the date of Incorporation of the company. This is a form for confirmation and alterations for company directors and members of the company.

Company renewals

Every company including a foreign company shall not earlier than the 1st of July or later than 31st August of any calendar year make annual returns in the prescribed Form C accompanied by the prescribed fee. The annual return shall be signed by one of the directors or secretary of the company and a copy shall be lodged with the office of the Registrar of Companies accompanied by a receipt of payment from the government revenue.

How we can help you

If you are considering forming a business or you need expert help with company registration in Eswatini, LegalGenius™ is ready to assist you with its skilled team of lawyers, consultants and tax experts. We are committed to making the process as stress-free and streamlined as possible for you, and we will take care of all your document preparation and administrative tasks regarding the registration forms, payment of government fees, local address registration, banking support, etc., whilst always keeping your exact objectives and unique vision in mind throughout the process.

Please use our Company Formation Wizard if you would like to set up your registered company in Eswatini or if you would like to know the costs involved prior to proceeding with our exceptional services. For other queries and special requests for complex or customised company formation services, please contact us at legal@7geniusgroup.com