How To Start an Investment Company in Kenya. Starting your own investment company requires a lot of planning and forethought. You will need to incorporate your new business and register with the appropriate agencies and the state government. Not only do you need a plan for your investors, you need a business plan for your company if you want to see it successfully launch.
Kenya is becoming one of the best-emerging markets in Africa. With the development of various sectors in Kenya, this has attracted many international and local investors. With this developments, there has been an increase in demand for investment companies that can facilitate the demands.
In this article, you’ll find information that will assist you with preparation in setting up your investment company.
Pick a Good Name
Choose a name for your business that conveys to potential clients that you can help them with their investment and financial planning needs. For example, you may choose a name such as “Miami Investment Advisers” or something similar. Conduct an online search to see if another company is already using the name you are thinking of, and check with the secretary of state for your state to see if a business has registered the name already.
Write a Business Plan
Your business plan should include a complete marketing plan. Decide which types of clients you plan to target: business owners, high net worth individuals, middle- income households or some other target group. Discuss the goals and objectives for your business, including short- and long-term goals. Write out detailed marketing strategies on how you intend to reach your target audience and convince people to become your clients.
Incorporate Your Business
Incorporate the investment firm. Contact the office of the secretary of state for the state where you are opening the business and obtain the application you need.
Register Your Company With the State
Write the articles of incorporation for the investment company and submit it along with the incorporation paperwork to the secretary of state. Pay the fee for incorporation, which varies by the state but is included on the instructions the secretary of state provides to you.
Register with the SEC
Register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Investment companies are required to register with the SEC.
Register With the IARD
Register with the Investment Advisor Registration Depository (IARD), an electronic filing system for investment advisers. Every investment firm is required to register on the federal level with the SEC and must also file on the state level with a self-regulatory organization (SRO), a private entity that operates in a government-regulated industry and oversees its users or members. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority offers state registration through its FINRA Entitlement Program. You can submit your application online (see Resources).
Prepare Your Marketing Material
Obtain marketing and information packets from the funds and investment companies you will be representing to clients. Contact the different funds and companies you will be recommending to clients to request marketing materials and information packages, to register as a representative for their products and to obtain any applications or forms you need to complete for clients.
Market Your Company
Create marketing material to promote your own business. Create a brochure, website, business cards, advertisements and other marketing materials you need to promote your business and reach potential clients. Social media could prove to be a goldmine: Share quality content regarding investments and personal finance from your accounts. Over time, you can develop a relationship with current and prospective clients.
Another option is to offer to give seminars to community groups. You could even offer to purchase snacks or sandwiches for attendees: They can enjoy their meal or snack while you give a presentation on investment options.
Foreign Investment Company
If you are a foreigner looking to set up an investment company in Kenya, there are always additional requirements that you will need to comply with. In the process of company registration, there are four ways of setting up a foreign company as shown below;
- Register a Foreign Company with a Kenyan Partner as Director
- Register a Foreign Company with Nominee Director
- Opening a Branch of an Existing Foreign Company
- Register a Foreign Company Fully Owned by Foreign Nationals
- Acquire an Existing Company Previously Owned by Kenyans
Are You Ready? Register Your Company Today!
We are excited that you want to register your limited company and we are happy to get everything started so you can start trading soon. Here are the step by step guide on how we will assist you to register your limited company;
Step 1: Pricing Plans
You will need to select which registration package you prefer;
- Lite Plan – Ksh. 20,000 – Includes Company Name Search, Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum, CR12 Letter only.
- Premium Plan – Ksh. 40,000 – Includes Company Name Search, Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum, CR12 Letter, Company KRA PIN, VAT Registration, Tax Compliance Certificate Registration, Lipa Na Mpesa Account Registration, Business Cash Advance Facility, Masterpass QR Registration, Website Design, SSL Certificate for Website, Domain Name (.COM or .CO.KE), Web Hosting (10GB Disk Space), Unlimited Company Email Accounts, Logo Design, Business Card Design, Letterhead Design and Business Consultancy.
Step 2: Requirement Form
Please download and fill this Requirement Form below with your information.
Click on this link to download the Company Registration Requirements Form [Word Version, 3 Pages, Size: 19.7KB]
Step 3: Registration Order
Once you complete your company requirement form, you will need to upload it on the registration order below and submit your order.
