Every company must be designated by a name stated in its articles of association. Unless the OHADA Uniform Act on Commercial Companies and Economic Interest Groups specifies otherwise, the company name may include the name of one or more current or former members. A company cannot adopt the name of another company already registered in the Registry of Commerce and Securities.
The company name must appear on all official acts and documents sent to third parties, including correspondence, invoices, notices, and publications. It must be immediately preceded or followed, in legible characters, by the company type, stated capital amount, headquarters address, and Registry of Commerce and Securities registration number.
The company name may be changed according to the procedures established in the Uniform Act for amending articles of association, applicable to each company type.
CAMEROON COMPANY NAME REGULATIONS
Company name compliance in Cameroon requires ensuring your business name meets legal requirements: it must be unique, non-misleading, and include the appropriate legal designation (e.g., Ltd, Plc, SARL, SA).
Company name compliance in Cameroon requires: verifying the name against existing trademark and company registers, avoiding prohibited terms (such as “Council,” “Military,” or “Region”) without authorization, and registering with government authorities including the Court of First Instance and Tax Bureau. Compliance prevents name rejection and legal issues, and involves specific filing requirements and ongoing display obligations on official documents.
COMPANY NAME COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS IN CAMEROON
- Uniqueness and Similarity Requirements
- Must not be identical or confusingly similar to an already registered company name in Cameroon;
- Conduct thorough name searches in business registers and trademark databases (such as OAPI) before registration.
2. Word Restrictions and Prohibitions
- Terms such as “Bank,” “Trust,” “Insurance,” or “National” typically require special authorization or licensing in Cameroon.
- Do not use offensive, vulgar, or misleading words.
3. Required Legal Entity Designations
- Company names must include a legal suffix indicating the entity type (e.g., “ENT,” “SARL,” “LLC,” “Ltd.”).
- Using only a family name is typically insufficient and not permitted.
4. Rules of Jurisdiction
- Cameroon’s company law is governed by specific legislation, including the OHADA Uniform Act.
5. Continuous Compliance
- Your registered company name and registration number must appear on all official documents, including invoices, letters, and website.
- If you operate under a trading name different from your registered name, you must disclose your official registered name.
Maintaining Compliance
- Search: Use government business name and trademark search tools, such as the OAPI database.
- Name Application: Submit your proposed company name to the Registrar of Companies for approval.
- Document: Submit required forms, including Articles of Incorporation and special resolutions, to the Registrar.
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