Rules for a simplified incorporation process for SARL in Gabon have been approved by Law 13/2016, of 5 September 2016, promulgated by Decree 0447/PR, of 5 September 2016. In order to expedite the incorporation of SARLs, the Gabonese legislator used the option provided by the revised OHADA Uniform Act on Commercial Companies to waive rules on the statutory form of by-laws and minimum share capital applicable to SARL.
The minimum share capital is now fixed at 100,000 CFA Francs instead of 1,000,000 CFA Francs.
In addition, the by-laws of SARL may now take the form of a notarial or of a private deed. Thus, the intervention of a notary both for filing and signing the by-laws of SARL and for drawing-up the statement of subscription and payment of their share capital has become optional.
These amendments are intended to promote foreign investment in Gabon, following other OHADA Member-States who have adopted similar measures such as Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Togo and Benin.
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