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Doing business
Doing business in Central African Republic
The official bodies a foreign company, investor or professional deals with in Central African Republic – linked to their own websites – plus the treaties that matter for contracts and disputes, and law firms there that list business work.
Key facts
Key facts for business in Central African Republic
The short answer
Company registry in Central African Republic: Guichet Unique de Formalités des Entreprises (GUFE RCA). Tax authority: Direction Générale des Impôts et des Domaines (DGID). Requirements, fees and timelines change – confirm them with the body concerned and a lawyer admitted in Central African Republic before you act.
| Legal system | Civil law (with customary law) |
|---|---|
| Official languages | French, Sango |
| Currency | Central African CFA franc (XAF) |
| Regional blocs | ECCAS, CEMAC |
| OHADA business law | Yes – the OHADA Uniform Acts apply |
| AfCFTA (continental free trade) | Ratified (instrument deposited) |
| New York Convention (arbitral awards) | Party – in force since 1963 |
| ICSID Convention (investment disputes) | Contracting state – in force since 1966 |
| Apostille Convention (public documents) | Not a party – documents usually need legalization |
Treaty status from the official depositary records (UNCITRAL, ICSID, HCCH), regional blocs from their own websites, AfCFTA from tralac – checked October 2026. Not legal advice.
Official bodies
Who does what in Central African Republic
| What for | Official body | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Registering a company | Guichet Unique de Formalités des Entreprises (GUFE RCA) – One-Stop Shop for Business Formalities | gufe-rca.org |
| Tax | Direction Générale des Impôts et des Domaines (DGID) | finances.gouv.cf |
| Central bank, currency and foreign exchange | Banque des États de l'Afrique Centrale (BEAC) – Bank of Central African States | beac.int |
We could not confirm an official website for: investment promotion, work and residence permits, courts and justice. We only link to sites we could open and confirm as the body’s own in October 2026.
Each link was opened and checked as the body’s own website in October 2026. Links to official sites only – never to agents or look-alike sites.
Getting started
What foreign businesses usually sort out first
- Choose how you will operate. A subsidiary, a branch, a representative office, or working through a local partner or distributor. The options and their conditions are set by the OHADA Uniform Act on commercial companies and national rules.
- Register the business. Company registration: Guichet Unique de Formalités des Entreprises (GUFE RCA).
- Register for tax. Tax registration: Direction Générale des Impôts et des Domaines (DGID).
- Check investment rules and incentives. Some sectors have licensing, local-ownership or registration rules, and some investors qualify for incentives. Investment agency: the national investment agency.
- Permits for foreign staff. Work and residence permits: the national immigration authority.
- Banking and foreign exchange. Rules on accounts, moving money in and out and paying dividends abroad come from the central bank (Banque des États de l'Afrique Centrale (BEAC)) and the banks.
- Contracts and disputes. Agree the governing law, the courts or arbitration seat, and the language. Central African Republic is a party to the New York Convention, so arbitral awards made in other member states can be recognized there under it.
A general checklist, not legal advice. What applies to you depends on your sector, structure and nationality.
Law firms
Law firms in Central African Republic for business matters
We have not listed law firms in Central African Republic that state business practice areas yet. Law firms in Central African Republic · List a firm
Checking a lawyer in Central African Republic
We could not find an official online source for who admits lawyers in Central African Republic. Ask any lawyer you consider for their bar or law-society membership and admission details, and confirm them with that body or with the courts.
Questions
Doing business in Central African Republic: questions
Where do you register a company in Central African Republic?
With Guichet Unique de Formalités des Entreprises (GUFE RCA) (gufe-rca.org). Requirements change, so confirm them with the registry and a lawyer admitted in Central African Republic.
Is Central African Republic a party to the New York Convention?
Yes – in force since 1963 (UNCITRAL status table, checked October 2026).
Does Central African Republic accept apostilles?
Central African Republic is not a party to the Apostille Convention (HCCH status table, checked October 2026), so foreign public documents usually need legalization – typically through the issuing country’s foreign ministry and Central African Republic’s embassy or consulate. Confirm with the authority that will receive the document.
What currency is used in Central African Republic?
Central African CFA franc (XAF).