Incorporation steps
- Choosing the company name and obtaining the negative certificate from OMPIC (valid for 90 days).
- Drafting the articles of association: corporate purpose, registered office, capital, allocation of shares, management, transfer and approval clauses.
- Establishing the registered office (lease, domiciliation agreement or certificate).
- Depositing the capital in a bank where the articles so provide (mandatory above MAD 100,000) and obtaining a certificate of blocked funds.
- Registering the articles of association, enrolling for the business tax and obtaining the tax identification number.
- Registration in the trade register of the Commercial Court of Rabat, obtaining the ICE and affiliation with the CNSS.
- Publication in the Official Bulletin and in a legal notices newspaper.
Points to secure
- A corporate purpose that is broad enough but lawful, and consistent with any sector-specific authorisations.
- The allocation of the manager's powers and internal limitations.
- Exit clauses: pre-emption, approval, exclusion, valuation of shares.
- A confidential shareholders' agreement to organise governance and future investment.
Costs and timeframes
Allow for the fees for the negative certificate, registration, legal publication and filing with the trade register, plus the drafting fees. With a complete file, registration is completed within a few working days. The firm handles all the formalities and hands over a complete legal file (articles of association, minutes, registers).
This guide is provided for general information by Maître Lahfaia Law Firm, Rabat. It is no substitute for advice tailored to your situation; the rules and deadlines mentioned may change.