I registered my own company through RDB on a Tuesday morning. By Tuesday afternoon I had my registration certificate, TIN, and was legally in business. Cost: RWF 40,000. Time: about 6 hours from submission to certificate.
Before you start
Have these ready:
- Your national ID (for Rwandans) or passport (for foreigners)
- Passport-sized photo (digital)
- Your proposed company name (have 2–3 alternatives in case your first choice is taken)
- Your business address (even a home address works initially)
- For Ltd companies: articles of association (RDB provides a template)
- RWF 40,000 for domestic company registration (more for foreign companies)
The registration process
- Create an RDB account at org.rdb.rw using your ID number and email
- Name search — check if your desired company name is available. RDB will reject names too similar to existing businesses
- Fill in company details — company type (Ltd recommended), registered address, share capital, shareholder details
- Upload documents — ID copy, photo, articles of association
- Pay online — MoMo, Airtel Money, or bank card accepted
- Wait — processing typically takes 2–6 hours during business days
- Download certificate — your registration certificate and TIN are available in your RDB account
After registration
Your certificate includes your company name, registration number, and TIN. Next steps:
- Open a bank account with your certificate and ID
- Register with RRA for the appropriate tax regime
- Set up MoMo Business for payments
- Get your domain, website, and email to establish your online presence
- Order business cards and signage
Common issues and fixes
- Name rejected: try a more unique name. “Excellent Services Ltd” will likely be taken. Be specific
- Documents rejected: make sure photos are clear and ID copies are readable
- Payment failed: try a different payment method. MoMo is usually the most reliable
- Processing delayed: if it’s been more than 24 hours, contact RDB support
The entire system is designed to be done without a lawyer or agent. You can absolutely do it yourself. Save the agent fee and invest it in your business’s first website instead.