Abstract

The registration of companies is a critical aspect of formalizing business operations in Cameroon, governed primarily by the OHADA (Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa) Uniform Act on General Commercial Law. This legal framework aims to create a unified and simplified procedure for business registration across the OHADA member states, ensuring a favorable environment for entrepreneurship and economic development. Despite these measures, many businesses in Cameroon remain informal due to challenges in accessing registration services, bureaucratic delays, and high costs, which hamper economic growth.

The problem of informal businesses stems from the complexity and length of the registration process, lack of awareness, and the high financial burden associated with it. The study aims to analyze the current company registration process in Cameroon, identify the obstacles, and propose measures to facilitate the formalization of businesses to promote economic development.

The methodology used in this research was qualitative, relying on legal analysis of the OHADA Uniform Act, interviews with business owners, legal practitioners, and officials from the Chamber of Commerce. Secondary data was collected from government reports, academic literature, and official OHADA guidelines to supplement the findings.

Key findings reveal that while the OHADA framework provides a structured system for business registration, practical challenges such as lengthy registration times, unclear procedural requirements, and limited access to digital services continue to plague the process. Furthermore, a significant number of small business owners are either unaware of the formal registration process or are deterred by the perceived high costs and bureaucracy. These barriers prevent many enterprises from benefiting from the legal protections, access to finance, and market opportunities that come with formal registration.

In conclusion, the legal framework for company registration in Cameroon is well-defined, but implementation inefficiencies, lack of infrastructure, and limited public awareness reduce its effectiveness. Recommendations include simplifying and digitalizing the registration process, reducing registration fees, and launching public awareness campaigns to encourage formalization. These steps will foster a more inclusive business environment, facilitating growth in both the formal and informal sectors.

Keywords: company registration, OHADA Uniform Act, formalization, business law, Cameroon, economic development, informal sector, business environment.