Company Registration in Mozambique
Registering a company in Mozambique means dealing with the Legal Entities Registry, the Tax Authority, the municipality and — depending on your activity — a sector ministry. We consolidate all of it into one online file you can follow from anywhere.
Most foreign founders arrive with the same three questions: which legal form to use, how long registration takes, and what can be done remotely. The short answer is that a private limited company (Lda.) covers most cases, filings typically take days rather than months once documents are complete, and the vast majority of steps can be handled under a power of attorney.
What actually drives the timeline is documentation. Corporate documents issued abroad must be legalised and translated into Portuguese before the registry will accept them, and that circuit runs in your home country, outside our control. We tell you exactly what to request on day one so the two tracks run in parallel.
Once the company is registered, we continue with the corporate tax number (NUIT), start-of-activity declaration, social security enrolment and the licences your activity requires before trading begins.
Content prepared by the Empresas.co.mz legal team in Maputo.
1. Structure
Legal form, shareholders, capital and business purpose agreed and drafted.
2. Name reservation
Availability search and filing with the Legal Entities Registry.
3. Incorporation and registry
Articles of association signed and the company entered in the commercial registry.
4. Tax and licensing
Corporate NUIT, start of activity, social security and activity licences.
What the service covers
Legal form advice
Sole trader, single-shareholder company, Lda. or S.A. matched to your plan.
Drafting in Portuguese
Articles prepared by Mozambican lawyers in the language the registry requires.
Remote execution
Power of attorney arrangements so directors do not need to fly in for every step.
Client portal tracking
Every stage with status, estimated timing and downloadable documents.
Typical clients
Regional expansion
Groups adding a Mozambican entity to an existing African footprint.
Project-driven entry
Companies incorporating to bid, contract or invoice locally.
Founders on the ground
Residents formalising an operation that already trades.
Authorities involved
Legal Entities Registry
Name reservation and commercial registration.
Mozambique Tax Authority
NUIT and start-of-activity declaration.
Municipality / sector ministry
Trading licence and activity-specific authorisations.
Official requirements and timelines may be updated by the competent authorities. We confirm the version in force before filing each case.
Frequently asked questions
How long does company registration take in Mozambique?
Commonly 3 to 10 working days from the moment a complete document set is in hand. Activities needing a sector licence or premises inspection depend on the regulator's own schedule.
Can I register without travelling to Mozambique?
In most cases yes, using a legalised power of attorney. Certain banking formalities may still require a representative in person.
Which documents must be legalised?
Corporate documents and powers of attorney issued abroad, plus their Portuguese translations. Exact requirements depend on the issuing country.
Do you support the company after registration?
Yes — corporate changes, certificates, licensing and ongoing compliance are handled through the same portal.
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.
- Certificates and Corporate DocumentsRequest commercial registry certificates, tax clearance, certified copies and extracts for your Mozambican company online.
- Commercial and Industrial LicensingObtain your trading licence, industrial permit or sector-specific licence in Mozambique with full legal support.
Related guides
- How a Foreigner Can Open a Company in MozambiqueDocument requirements, foreign ownership, investment and legal representation to incorporate a company in Mozambique as a foreigner.
- Company Name Reservation in MozambiqueHow to reserve your company name at the Legal Entities Registry: requirements, certificate validity and common rejection causes.
- 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.
- Opening a Corporate Bank Account in MozambiqueDocuments required by Mozambican banks, KYC requirements and how to speed up opening your company account.
Starting, registering, investing and doing business in Mozambique
Paths organised by objective. Pick where you are and continue to the next resource.
Start your request online
Submit the request, pay online and track every stage in the client portal. Our legal team handles the rest.