Requirements to obtain Business License certeficate in Ethiopia - Apex Business Consultancy and Networking in Ethiopia

Requirements to obtain Business License certificate in Ethiopia.

In Ethiopia the trade and integration minister deliver business license services for all listed below business structures online through the trade portal https://etrade.gov.et

Thus, you have to fill the forms provided and apply online via the stated portal, but before start filling the online form be sure you have the document and other data stated below under each business structure.

Also remember, before you apply for business license certificate you should get commercial registration license certificate by applying for it online; the system or the trade portal will guide you while applying.

After you fill the forms and attach the necessary documents requested, the portal will generate both commercial registration certificate and Business license certificate. Finally in Ethiopia commercial law any business owner is obligated to place the business license certificate in the shop or office by printing it from the portal.

Requirements to obtain business License for Sole Proprietors

Prerequisites to obtain certificate of business license for sole proprietor are the following:

Certificate of Tax Identification Number (TIN). (if you want to know the procedure and where to get tax Identification number certificate service click the link below.)

Tax Registration Procedure in Ethiopia

Valid passport/driving license/office ID of the applicant or manager
Where the applicant is a foreign investor in addition to specified above, his investment license and address of the branch office, if any;
Where the application is submitted by an attorney; original and copy of power of attorney givan copies of valid identity card or passport of the attorney and the manager;
Scaned Passport size photographs taken within six months.

Requirements of Business License for Private Limited Companies and Partnership

Prerequisites to obtain business license certificate for Private Limited Companies are the following:

Certificate of Tax Identification Number (TIN) (if you want to know where to get tax Identification number certificate services click the link below.)

Revenue-minster-Branch-Offices-Addreses

Valid passport/driving license/office ID of the applicant or manager;
where the applicant is a foreign investor in addition to specified above, his investment license, and address of the branch office, if any;
where the application is submitted by an attorney; original and copy of power of attorney with copies of valid identity card or passport of the attorney and the manager;
Where the principal is a business organization, in addition to requirements specified above, its original copies of memorandum and article of association or similar documents notarized by legal authorized body in Ethiopia;
If the company has a member of foreign company; attach a legal certificate of incorporation of or other similar document issued by the country of incorporation;
where there is contribution of intellectual property; minute or similar document authenticated by a notary;
Authenticated original copies of memorandum and article of association of the business organization;
Initial capital held in closed account.

Requirements of Business License for Share Company

Prerequisites to obtain business license certificate for share company are the following:

Certificate of Tax Identification Number (TIN) (if you want to know how to get tax Identification number click Here.);
Valid passport/driving license/office ID of the applicant or manager;
where the applicant is a foreign investor in addition to specific above , his investment license, and address of the branch office, if any;
where the application is submitted by an attorney; original and copy of power of attorney given with copies of valid identity card or passport of the attorney and the manager;
Authenticated original copies of memorandum and article of association of the business organization;
If the company has a member of foreign company; attach a legal certificate of incorporation of or other similar document issued by the country of incorporation;
where there is contribution of intellectual property; minute or similar document authenticated by a notary;
where three quarters or above of the capital of limited liability business organization are lost; they can raise their capital more than one fourth and get their licenses renewed.

Business License for International Business organizations winning International Bid in Ethiopia

Prerequisites for business license for international business organizations that enter upon winning international bid are the followings;

Certificate of Tax Identification Number (TIN) (if you want to know how to get tax Identification number click Here.);
Valid passport/driving license/office ID of the applicant or manager
where the application is submitted by an attorney; original and copy of power of attorney given by all of the founders copies with of valid identity card or passport of the attorney and the manager;
certificate of proof of legal existence of the business organization;
approved resolution minute or similar document showing that the business organization has decided to open branch office in Ethiopia and assign a manager;
support letter of registration requirement;

Renewal of Business License

The prerequisites to renew business license are;

Tax clearance
certificate of competence issued by appropriate sector, if certificate of competence is required;

For Private company and Share company includes the following requirements;

Audit report
If the company has lost ¾ of its capital due to losses, bank information is required to confirm that the shareholders have decided to continue the company in a meeting and that the capital is more than 1/4 certificate of competence issued by appropriate sector,

Amendment of business license

The prerequisites for amendment are;

certificate of competence issued by appropriate sector, if certificate of competence is required for the category of the business;
Bank proof If the amendment is capital and in cash

For private limited company and Share company also includes the following;

Where the amendment is to the memorandum and articles of association, minutes of resolution of the share holders of the business organization to make the amendment; the minutes of resolution of the share holders of the business organization.

Cancellation of business license

The Prerequisites for cancellation are;

Tax clearance