Company Formation in Mozambique
Formation is where the durable decisions are made. Share splits, signing authority and exit rules written into the articles will govern the company long after registration is complete.
We draft articles around how the business will actually be run: who can bind the company alone, which resolutions need a qualified majority, how shares may be transferred, and what happens when a shareholder wants out. Template articles copied from another deal are the usual source of later deadlock.
For groups, formation also means aligning the Mozambican entity with the parent structure — shareholder identification, corporate approvals and the legalised documents that prove them.
Once signed, we complete commercial registration and publication, then hand over a full corporate file: articles, registry certificate, tax number and licences.
Content prepared by the Empresas.co.mz legal team in Maputo.
Legal forms available
Sole trader (ENI)
Individual trading in their own name, with unlimited personal liability.
Single-shareholder company
One owner, liability limited to the subscribed capital.
Private limited company (Lda.)
Two or more shareholders — the standard vehicle for trading businesses.
Public limited company (S.A.)
Share-based structure with formal corporate bodies.
Clauses that matter later
Signing authority
How many signatures bind the company in contracts and banking.
Reserved matters
Decisions requiring shareholder approval above management level.
Share transfers
Pre-emption rights and conditions for admitting new shareholders.
Profit distribution
Financial year, accounts approval and dividend mechanics.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreign company be a shareholder?
Yes. The foreign entity's corporate documents must be legalised and translated into Portuguese before filing.
Can articles be amended later?
Yes, by shareholder resolution, followed by registration and publication of the amendment.
Is a notarial deed always required?
Formalities depend on the legal form and the current registry procedure; we confirm what applies to your incorporation before filing.
How many shareholders can a Lda. have?
Two or more. A single owner uses the single-shareholder company form instead.
Related services
- Company Registration in MozambiqueRegister your Lda, Unipessoal, sole trader or S.A. in Mozambique online. Name reservation, deed, NUIT and licences handled by our legal team.
- Corporate AmendmentsChange shareholders, share capital, company name, activity or registered office in Mozambique with full legal support.
- Certificates and Corporate DocumentsRequest commercial registry certificates, tax clearance, certified copies and extracts for your Mozambican company online.
Related guides
- Articles of Association: How They Are DraftedWhat your company's articles must include in Mozambique: capital, shares, management, financial year and clauses that prevent disputes.
- Sole Trader, Single-Shareholder, Lda. or S.A.: Which to ChoosePractical comparison of Mozambican legal forms: liability, capital, number of shareholders, formalities and credibility.
- Publication in the Boletim da República: What You Need to KnowHow publication of articles of association in the Boletim da República works: process, timings and what to do after publication.
- Company Name Reservation in MozambiqueHow to reserve your company name at the Legal Entities Registry: requirements, certificate validity and common rejection causes.
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