Doing business in Guinea-Bissau: the legal framework

Guinea-Bissau is a member of OHADA (Organisation for the Harmonisation of Business Law in Africa), WAEMU/UEMOA and ECOWAS. A company operating in the country therefore applies, at the same time:

• national law, including the Investment Code (Law 13/2011) and the Labour Code (Law 7/2022);
• the OHADA Uniform Acts, which apply directly and prevail over conflicting domestic law;
• WAEMU regulations, notably on foreign exchange and payments; the currency is the CFA franc (XOF), pegged to the euro;
• sector-specific regulation (energy, mining, fisheries, banking, tourism);
• administrative and registry practice.

Key points for foreign investors

• Companies are incorporated at the Business Formalisation Centre (CFE) and registered with the RCCM.
• As a rule, local shareholders are not required, save in certain sectors such as extractive industries.
• The Investment Code provides for equal treatment of foreign and national investors and for the transfer of profits and capital after taxes.
• Mining, petroleum and forestry investments are outside the Investment Code and governed by specific legislation or investment agreements.

Source: CCIPGB — Guiné-Bissau: Guia de Investimento 2023/2024 (out. 2023). General information, not legal advice.