| LLC | Free Zone LLC | PLC | Joint Venture | Branch Office | Rep Office | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other Entity Name | Limited Liability Company | EPZ Company | Public Limited Company | Partnership | Branch | Representative Office |
| Company Setup Time | 15 days | 15 days | 15 days | 15 days | 15 days | 15 days |
| Bank Account Opening | 10 days | 10 days | 10 days | 10 days | 10 days | 10 days |
| Government Grants Available | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Government Contracts Bidding | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Legal Liability | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Client Required to Travel | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Inquiry | Inquiry | Inquiry | Inquiry | Inquiry | Inquiry |
Corporate Structure Explained
Ghana Limited Liability Company (LLC)
- An LLC requires one shareholder and two directors. Both types can be foreign, but one of the directors must be a resident of Ghana. The minimum share capital required to complete the incorporation is USD 500,000 for a wholly-owned foreign company and USD 1,000,000 for a trading company. Foreign investors wishing to invest in a joint venture with a Ghanaian national require USD 200,000.
Ghana Public Limited Company (PLC)
- A PLC is recommended when clients wish to list their company on the public market. Ghana’s public limited company (PLC) must have a minimum share capital of USD 500,000. In the case of a trading company, the share capital required is USD 1,000,000.
- At least one shareholder and two directors of any nationality must be appointed. One of the directors must be a resident of Ghana and must file annual financial reports and statements.
- Publicly-listed companies can sell their shares to the public on the Ghana Stock exchange.
Branch Office (External Company)
- A branch must be authorized to accept documents on behalf of the parent company by one representative of any nationality, who must be a resident of Ghana. The branch must have a registered address in the country to which all communications and notifications must be addressed. Statutory records must be kept in that office.
Free Zone Company
- An entity in a free zone of Ghana can be 100% foreign owned and does not require a resident director.
- There is no specific minimum capital investment required to establish a company in a free zone. Investors must demonstrate the ability to fund their business activities.
- Clients interested in starting a company in a free zone can invest in any business sector, except gas and crude oil, exploration of precious metals, timber related activities and plastics manufacturing.
- Free zone companies are entitled to incentives that include a 100% exemption from the payment of direct and indirect duties and taxes on all imports and exports. There are no import licensing requirements and no restrictions on the repatriation of dividends and net profits.