UAE Company Setup & Banking Advisory for African Founders
Independent advisory • No bank guarantees • Licensed partners • Banking-first approach
Why African Founders Choose the UAE
It's not about tax. It's about access.
African founders don't come to the UAE for hype. They come for:
Global Payments
Access Stripe, PayPal, USD banking, and international acquiring.
Reliable Business Banking
Multi-currency accounts, SWIFT transfers, and corporate banking infrastructure that works.
Travel & Mobility
Residency unlocks easier travel and regional expansion.
Global Credibility
A UAE entity signals legitimacy to international clients and partners.
Currency Stability
AED pegged to USD. Protection from FX volatility and capital controls.
Asset Protection
Operate from a politically stable jurisdiction while serving African markets.
Common Challenges We Solve
Banking, capital movement, and residency hurdles.
Bank Rejections
Many UAE banks apply enhanced scrutiny to African founders.
We help by:
- •Guiding you toward realistic banks
- •Preparing bank-grade documentation
- •Coaching interview positioning
Moving Capital Cross-Border
FX controls and documentation requirements complicate transfers.
We help by:
- •Structuring compliant shareholder loans or service agreements
- •Connecting you with cross-border specialists
- •Preparing source-of-funds narratives banks accept
Payment Processor Access
Stripe doesn't support most African countries directly.
We help by:
- •Structuring UAE entities correctly
- •Positioning your business for gateway approval
- •Preparing required operational documentation
Residency Requirements
You don't need residency to own a UAE company, but visas come with rules.
We help by:
- •Explaining visit frequency
- •Designing structures based on whether you actually need residency
- •Managing expectations upfront
Country-Specific Considerations
Every African market has unique dynamics.
Nigeria
- •Higher banking scrutiny
- •CBN restrictions apply
- •Common use: Stripe access, USD banking
Kenya
- •Generally smoother banking
- •Easier capital movement
- •Common use: regional HQ + residency
South Africa
- •Strong banking acceptance
- •SARB forex rules apply
- •Common use: holding companies, international expansion
Ghana
- •Moderate banking scrutiny
- •FX documentation required
- •Common use: payments + USD access
What You Must Know Before You Start
A UAE company solves specific problems, not everything.
Banking approval is never guaranteed.
Preparation improves odds, not certainty.
Documentation matters.
Expect passports, proof of address, contracts, statements, and business plans.
This isn't a budget play.
Realistic setup: AED 22k–45k depending on structure (excluding advisory).
Company location ≠ personal tax residency.
Living in Africa may still create local tax obligations.
Common Questions from African Founders
We get asked these all the time.
Start With Initial UAE Setup Guidance
Get a conservative, practical guide based on your profile: structure direction, banking readiness score, cost ranges, risk flags, and next steps.