Can foreign companies be registered in Kenya?

A foreign company wishing to Trade and do Business in Kenya may opt to Register their existing foreign company in Kenya.
This is referred to as a Foreign Company Registration in Kenya, with the Registration certificate issued being a Certificate of compliance.

A Foreign Company is hence a Company registered outside Kenyan jurisdiction, Under the laws of that country and given a certificate of compliance under Kenyan Law, to conduct and do Business in Kenya like any local company.

At Biz Brokers Kenya we guide you through the process of registering a foreign company in kenya and the execution of the documents required for registration of a foreign company.

How to register a Foreign Company in Kenya.

Any company duly registered outside Kenya that intends to carry on its business in Kenya may register as a Foreign or branch company in Kenya. Foreign company registration is regulated by the Company Act 2015 and guidelines are as provided below for the registration of foreign companies in kenya

To register a branch of a foreign company in Kenya, you shall require the following.

Requirements for registration of Foreign Company in Kenya.

  1. Certified copies of foreign company memorandum and Articles of Association.
  2. Certified copy of the certificate of Incorporation duly certified by a Notary Public.
  3. If in a Foreign Language, certified copies of translated documents by a Notary Public.
  4. Name and contact information of the Local representative of the Foreign company
  5. National ID, PIN and passport photo of the local representative in Kenya.
  6. Registered address of the Foreign company in County of registration.
  7. Proposed Registered address in Kenya. Name of Building, Plot number, street, town, County.
  8. Copies of Passport and passport photos of the Directors and shareholders.
  9. Contact information of the directors and shareholders of the foreign company.

Foreign company Registration forms.

  • List of documents delivered for registration by a company incorporated outside Kenya.
  • List and particulars of the directors and secretary of a company incorporated outside Kenya.
  • List of names and addresses of the persons resident in Kenya authorized to receive service on behalf of a company incorporated outside Kenya.
  • Notice of situation of registered or principal office or change therein of a company incorporated outside Kenya.
  • Upon a successful submission of the required documents for registration, the company shall be issued with a Certificate of Compliance
  • - PIN and VAT Registration

Which documents are required for registration of a foreign company in Kenya?

  1. Copy of Bio data page of the passports of the Directors and shareholders of the foreign company.
  2. Passport photos of the Directors and shareholders of the foreign company.
  3. Certified copy of the certificate of incorporation of the foreign company. - Certified by a Notary or the registrar of the country of origin.
  4. Copy of the Kenya National ID of the local representative.
  5. Copy of the Tax PIN certificate of the local representative.
  6. Passport photo of the local representative.

Registration of a branch of a Foreign Company in Kenya

A Foreign registered company is under Kenyan law given an opportunity to comply and conduct its Business in Kenya as a local company. A Foreign incorporated company which has complied to Kenyan laws is thereafter compliant and can trade locally.

How long does it take to register a foreign company in Kenya?

The application and registration process of a foreign company in Kenya takes an average of 7 days from date of submission of all application requirements.

Contact us for more information


Business compliance is our specialty, Business startup is our passion. We are in the Business of Business.

Trade with your foreign company in Kenya.

Registration of a foreign company in Kenya offers foreign entities the option to maintain and keep their corporate identity while operating in Kenya.

Upon application and issuance of a certificate of compliance a foreign company can conduct business like a local company in Kenya.

What we do <p>

We provide practical solutions to individuals, Businesses and organizations for you registration and compliance requirements all over kenya

Go! click me