Eswatini

We assist global clients looking to do  business in Eswatini with the A to Z of business setup without the need for the client to travel to Eswatini . Some of our services include:

Company / Branch registration

Tax registration and obtaining PIN

Regulatory licenses across all sectors

Personal and corporate bank account opening

Accounting and tax support services

Provision of nominee directors and shareholders

Recruitment and employee hiring

Virtual/Physical Office space solutions

Employment and residency visas

The most common corporate structures preferred by foreign investors setting up in Eswatini include i) the limited liability company (LLC/LTD) and ii) the branch office. See detailed comparison below:

Advantages and disadvantages of Eswatini business setup:

  • Company setup process is straightforward with professional assistance.
  • Has good manufacturing and tourism sectors for investment.
  • Eswatini has good road infrastructure, electric energy and telecommunications.
  • Its geographical location places it as neighbors’ with south Africa hence the trade routes are available.
  • Government has offered various incentives; repatriation of profits fully serviced industrial sites, purpose-built factory shells at competitive prices, and exemptions from duties on raw materials used in the production of goods intended for export outside the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).
  • Investors can benefit from financial incentives like tax allowances and deductions for new businesses, a 10-year exemption from withholding tax on dividends and a low corporate tax rate of 10% for approved investment projects.
  • New investors can also enjoy duty-free import of machinery and equipment.

  • Investors in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) may receive  benefits, such as a 20-year exemption from all corporate taxation (followed by taxation at 5%), full refunds of customs duties, value-added tax, and other taxes paid on goods purchased for use as raw material, equipment, machinery, and manufacturing, unrestricted repatriation of profits, and full exemption from foreign exchange controls for all SEZ operations.

  • There are no capital gains taxes or withholding taxes in Eswatini which makes registering companies in Eswatini highly attractive.
  • Foreign investment in land is restricted.
  • State-owned enterprises distort the economy. 
  • Highly Susceptible to Corruption.
  • The judicial system limits independence in the judiciary as the king can appoint judges so the system is not clear for settling disputes
  • Branch office are subject to an additional branch tax levied at a 15% rate on all profits earned.
  • The labor force lacks the skills a foreign employer may require compared to local employers.
  • Eswatini has dual legal system (customary laws/Roman-Dutch laws) hence maneuvering in between is difficult

Important links:

Company incorporation steps in Eswatini:

  1. Company setup: requirements include confirming the company structure, verifying name availability, and issuing a service agreement.
  2. Documents Preparation: Our Team prepares the incorporation documents and emails our Client for signatures and email return.
  3. Certificate of Incorporation: Our Team submits an application for company registration with the Companies Registration Office and obtain a certificate of incorporation;
  4. Personal Tax Number: If the director is a foreign national, our team submits an application for a personal tax number (PIN) with Eswatini Revenue Service(ERS);
  5. Corporate Tax Number: Our Tax Agent also submits an application to the Revenue Authority for the corporate/company PIN (tax number);
  6. Other Registrations: If the Client intends to hire local staff, our Team registers the company with i) Civil Service Commission (CSC) and other government agencies
  7. Bank Account Opening: Girimba Consulting also assists our Client to open a local corporate bank account with a top tier bank in Eswatini

    Seek specific business information:

    Let us know more about your business needs by completing the form below. Our team will get back to you within twenty four hours.

    All information provided to Girimba via this form remains confidential, Girimba shall not sell, share or transfer any details to any authority or third parties except as may be required by law. If you however prefer not to fill up the form, you are welcomed to contact us by email or phone directly.

    Select Territory of Interest*:

    Enter Your Details*:

    Select required service*:

    requestquote

    Girimba Consulting conducts business with openness, transperancy and honesty.We respect and uphold our Clients’ confidentiality, we offer quality service at affordable rates. Contact us for professional solutions.

    girimba-discount

    Clarence S. Carlos

    Regional Cordinator

    Clarence is our regional cordinator and head of business setup secretariat.