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Mokua Mogendi

For investors

Company setup and licences for agribusiness

Registering the company is the easy part. An agribusiness also needs tax registration, county permits and, depending on what you grow and sell, sector licences such as horticulture export registration and phytosanitary certification. I plan the list with you and coordinate the professionals who file it.

Foreign companies and diaspora founders starting a farm, processing or export business in Kenya.

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Mokua Mogendi at a Netherlands–Kenya business session.

What you get

Deliverables

  • Licence and permit map for your activity
  • Company registration via a licensed secretary
  • KRA PIN and county permits
  • Sector licences (e.g. horticulture export)

How it works

Four steps, in this order.

  1. 01

    Activity plan

    What you will grow, process or export, and where; this decides the licences.

  2. 02

    Register

    Company or branch registration through the Business Registration Service, filed by a licensed company secretary or advocate.

  3. 03

    Tax and permits

    KRA PIN, county business permits, and employment registrations when you hire.

  4. 04

    Sector licences

    For example AFA–Horticultural Crops Directorate export registration and KEPHIS phytosanitary certification for fresh produce exports.

Questions

What people ask

How do I register a company in Kenya?

Companies are registered with the Business Registration Service through the eCitizen portal: name reservation, then incorporation documents for directors and shareholders. A foreign company can instead register a branch. After that come a KRA PIN, county permits and any sector licences.

Can a foreigner own a company in Kenya?

Yes, foreigners can own and direct Kenyan companies. Some sectors have local-ownership rules, and a company with foreign shareholders is treated as a non-citizen for landholding, so it can lease but not own freehold land.

What licences does an agricultural export business need in Kenya?

Fresh produce exporters typically need registration with the Horticultural Crops Directorate (under the Agriculture and Food Authority) and KEPHIS phytosanitary certificates, plus the usual company, tax and county requirements. The exact list depends on the crop and market.

General information, not legal advice. Land, company and licensing matters are filed and confirmed by licensed Kenyan advocates and company secretaries.

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