Last updated: June 2026
When we first published this guide, registering a company in Somaliland meant navigating a paper-based process across several offices that could take weeks. At the time, the Ministry told us a major overhaul was underway — a “one-stop shop” intended to streamline the whole thing. That reform has since arrived. This is our updated guide to how company registration in Somaliland works today.
The Big Change: Registration is Now Online
In June 2022, the Government of Somaliland launched the Business Registration and Licensing System (BRLS) — an online one-stop shop that allows entrepreneurs to register a business and apply for licences without visiting government offices in person. The system was developed by the Ministry of Trade & Tourism, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Attorney General, with technical support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
The portal is available at brls.govsomaliland.org.
This was a meaningful reform. The BRLS brought what had been a slow, multi-office process into a single digital channel, with the explicit goals of cutting time, reducing cost and encouraging informal businesses to formalise. According to the Ministry of Trade & Tourism, a standard business registration can now be completed and a one-year business licence issued in as little as one working day — a dramatic change from the weeks the old process could take.
What the BRLS Lets You Do
The system handles the full lifecycle of a business registration, not just the initial setup. Through the portal you can: reserve and search a business name; register a new business; obtain a Tax Identification Number (through integration with the Ministry of Finance); renew or acquire business licences; update the details of an existing business; close or wind up a business; and search the registry’s business information database. The portal also publishes the relevant laws, regulations, user guides, and the official schedule of fees and tariffs.
The Core Steps
While the BRLS digitises the process, the underlying requirements follow the same logic as before. In broad terms, registering a company involves:
- Name search and reservation — confirm your proposed company name is available and reserve it through the Ministry.
- Prepare your documents — most importantly your Articles (and Memorandum) of Association, which can be submitted in Somali or English.
- Submit your application — file the standard application form and a statement of formation (a notice of intent) with the Ministry, which acts as custodian of the Companies Registry.
- Provide identification — national ID card or passport for each applicant, plus passport-size photographs.
- Registration with the Attorney General — the application is registered with the Office of the Attorney General as part of the process.
- Sectoral permits (if applicable) — certain regulated sectors (education, health, agriculture, mining, transport, telecommunications, financial services, security services and others) require an additional permit certificate from the relevant line ministry.
- Pay the licence fee — fees vary by business type and activity; the current schedule is published on the BRLS portal.
Once these are satisfied and the fee is paid, a certificate of incorporation is issued and a business licence valid for one year is granted.
Types of Companies You Can Register
Somaliland’s Companies Law recognises a range of structures. The main ones include:
- Company limited by shares or by guarantee — the most common form; members’ liability is limited to their paid-up shares, or to a guaranteed amount.
- Single-member company — a company with only one shareholder; presumed to be private.
- Private company — typically up to seven members.
- Public company — any company with more than seven members is treated as public, unless its application states otherwise.
- Unlimited company — public (seven or more persons) or private (two or more).
Beyond companies, the law also provides for sole proprietorships, general partnerships, cooperatives and commercial agencies.
Registering a Foreign Company
A business incorporated outside Somaliland can operate in the country by registering a branch and obtaining authority to do business. Foreign entities are generally asked to provide, in both Somali and English: an authenticated copy of the certificate of incorporation from the country of origin; the address and principal office of the foreign company; a declaration appointing a representative or agent in Somaliland (power of attorney); and a copy of the applicant’s passport with a passport-size photograph.
An Important Note on Sharia Compliance
Somaliland is a Muslim jurisdiction and applies Sharia principles. In practice, this means certain business activities that are not Sharia-compliant may be restricted or precluded. It’s worth confirming early that your intended activity is permitted before investing time and money in registration.
A Few Practical Pointers
- Check the official fee schedule first. Costs vary considerably by business type and sector — the BRLS portal carries the current tariffs, and we’d always recommend working from the official figures rather than second-hand estimates.
- Get your Articles of Association right. This is the document most likely to cause delay if incomplete. If your structure is anything beyond a simple single-member company, it’s worth having a local lawyer review it.
- Factor in sectoral licensing. If you’re in a regulated sector, the line-ministry permit is often the longer pole in the tent — start that conversation early.
- Keep your Tax Identification Number safe. It’s issued as part of registration and you’ll need it for banking and compliance.
In Summary
Registering a company in Somaliland is significantly faster and more transparent than it was when we first wrote about it. The move to the online BRLS one-stop shop means that, for a straightforward business, formal registration is now a matter of days rather than weeks — a genuine step forward for anyone looking to formalise and grow.
As always, processes and fees can change. For the most current requirements and the official fee schedule, the definitive source is the Ministry of Trade & Tourism’s BRLS portal at brls.govsomaliland.org. If you found this guide useful, sign up to our newsletter — we publish practical guides like this one across our Getting Started series.
Disclaimer: This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Requirements, fees and procedures may change. Always confirm the current position with the Ministry of Trade & Tourism or a qualified local professional before acting.
Sources: Ministry of Trade & Tourism, Republic of Somaliland (mott.govsomaliland.org); Somaliland Business Registration and Licensing System (brls.govsomaliland.org); IFC; Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Africa Corporate Guide — Somaliland.