Company Formation and Business Expansion in East Africa
Whether you are forming a company in Kenya or Rwanda, or setting up an international holding structure to trade with East African markets, we handle the setup end to end.
Who this is for
- International entrepreneurs entering Kenya, Rwanda, or East African markets
- African diaspora founders returning to build businesses in East Africa
- Remote workers and nomads who want a company entity in or connected to East Africa
- International businesses seeking a market entry vehicle for the East African Community
East Africa is one of the world's fastest-growing tech and entrepreneurship regions. Nairobi's Silicon Savannah, Kigali's innovation-friendly environment, and the 170-million-person East African Community single market make the region a compelling base for entrepreneurs and investors.
Available services
UK Ltd Formation
A UK Ltd is recognised across East Africa for international invoicing and contracting. The most common international holding structure for East Africa-based founders.
US LLC Formation
A US LLC gives you a globally trusted entity for billing international clients, opening digital bank accounts, and accepting payments.
Browse All Business Services
Explore our full range of company formation, banking, and compliance services to find the right structure for your East Africa operations.
Get startedHow it works
Jurisdiction selection
We review your market entry goals, team location, and banking needs to recommend the right structure.
Company formation
We file with the relevant authority. Kenya and Rwanda typically process formations in 3-5 days.
Documents delivered
Certificate of incorporation and company documents ready for banking and operations.
Banking setup
We assist with opening local or international banking for your East Africa entity.
Frequently asked questions
Kenya or Rwanda: which is the better East Africa base?
Kenya is the larger economy and provides access to East Africa's biggest market. Nairobi is the established hub for tech and finance. Rwanda is smaller but has a highly transparent regulatory environment and the fastest company formation in Africa (24-hour registration via RDB). We recommend based on your sector and market focus.
Do I need a local director to form a company in Kenya?
Kenya does not require a local director for a private limited company, but does require at least one director who is an individual (not a company). Foreign nationals can serve as directors. A local registered office address is required, which we provide.
How do foreign-owned companies get paid in Kenya?
Foreign-owned Kenyan companies can hold accounts at Kenyan banks and receive M-Pesa business payments, international wire transfers, and card payments. Capital movement in and out of Kenya is subject to Kenya's exchange control rules. We advise on the banking setup that best suits your business model.
Ready to get started?
Fixed price, real-time tracking, and expert handling, from first document to final approval.
Start My East Africa Setup