1. Purpose

This regulation provides detailed administrative mechanisms, procedural and documentary requirements for commercial registration, trade name registration, business licensing, and related processes (amendment, renewal, substitution, cancellation) under Commercial Registration and Licensing Proclamation No. 980/2016.

• Key words:

Business Name Registration, Certificate of Registration, Memorandum of Association, Articles of Association, Shareholders / Owners, License Application, License Categories, Sector Classification, Competency Certificate, License Renewal, Amendment of License, Suspension, Revocation, Cancellation, Reinstatement, Electronic Registration System, Integrated Database, Digital Licensing, Data Sharing, Licensing Fees, Service Charges, Payment System, Business Premises, Sector-specific Requirements, Ease of Doing Business

•  Registration of Business Name and Trade Name

• Sole proprietor: application must fill particulars under Proclamation Art. 14(1).
• Business organization (partnerships, PLCs, share companies): submit draft memorandum/articles, three alternative names, ID/passport of one member. Registering office checks name availability.
• Trade name certificate requires: valid ID/passport, two passport-size photos (within 6 months), power of attorney (if applicable), commercial registration certificate, valid business license, and if long‑used name, confirmation from local administration.
• Substitute/amendment/cancellation of trade name certificate: similar documents plus damaged/lost proof, authenticated minutes, newspaper publication for amendment of business organization’s trade name.
•  Commercial Registration Certificate

• Sole proprietor: photos, ID/passport, address confirmation (title deed or authenticated lease or local admin letter), capital statement, TIN certificate. Foreign investor: add investment license. Proxy registration prohibited.
• Partnerships & Private Limited Companies: manager’s ID/passport & photos, power of attorney (if under formation), authenticated memorandum/articles, foreign members’ investment license & passport, foreign corporate members’ certificate of incorporation, notarized resolution to join, investment license, branch address, address confirmation, contribution‑in‑kind statement (transfer within one year), TIN.
• Share Company: similar, plus bank statement showing 1/4 of subscribed shares deposited in blocked account, sample share certificate & internal bylaws.
• Public Enterprise: law of establishment, appointment letter, manager’s ID/photos, power of attorney (if applicable), address confirmation, TIN.
• Commercial Representative: registration certificate, photos, ID/passport, power of attorney, bank confirmation of USD 100,000 deposit, address confirmation, description of activities, commitment to obtain residence/work permit (if foreign national).
• Sectoral Associations, Foreign Chambers of Commerce, International Bid Winners, Associations Authorized by Other Laws – each have specific document lists (e.g., authorization from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, bid agreement, etc.).
• Amendment, Substitute, Cancellation of registration certificates: require manager’s photos/ID, power of attorney, relevant minutes (for amendments), damaged/lost proof, tax clearance, audit report, newspaper publication for cancellation (twice within one month), return of previous license/trade name certificate.
• Business License Issuance, Renewal, Amendment, Substitution, Cancellation

• Sole proprietor: ID/passport, photos, commercial registration certificate, investment license (if foreign), address confirmation, certificate of competence (if required). Proxy prohibited.
• Partnerships, Private Limited Companies, Share Companies: commercial registration certificate, manager’s ID/photos, authenticated memorandum/articles, foreign members’ investment license & passport, foreign corporate members’ incorporation certificate & notarized resolution, address confirmation, certificate of competence.
• Public Enterprise, International Bid Winners, Associations Authorized by Other Laws – specific documents.
• Commercial Representative (special certificate): registration certificate, photos, ID/passport, power of attorney, bank confirmation of USD 100,000, address confirmation, activity description, commitment for residence/work permit.
• Renewal of business license: tax clearance, audit report (for associations), manager’s photos, power of attorney (if applicable), address confirmation.
• Renewal of special certificate for commercial representative: same, plus bank confirmation of USD 100,000 for the budget year, renewed residence/work permit (if foreign national).
• Amendment of business license: commercial registration certificate, existing license, resolution minutes (for memorandum/articles amendments), investment permit (if new foreign member), certificate of competence (if new sector requires it), power of attorney, manager’s photos.
• Substitute business license: damaged/lost certificate, tax clearance (if renewal period lapsed), manager’s photos, power of attorney.
• Cancellation of business license: previous license, tax clearance, manager’s ID, power of attorney (if applicable), trade name certificate.
• Holding Company, Border Trade, Franchising

• Holding company special registration: notarized establishment certification, members’ valid business licenses, manager’s photos/ID, power of attorney. Renewal, substitute, amendment, cancellation – specific document lists (e.g., notarized minutes for membership changes, dissolution notice in newspaper once).
• Border trade registration: photos, ID/passport, address confirmation, capital statement, TIN. Special business license requires: proof of Ethiopian nationality/residency, written authorization from concerned authority, photos, ID/passport, TIN.
• Franchising special registration: notarized franchise contract, notarized franchiser’s registration certificate, franchisee’s valid trade license copy, manager’s photos/ID/passport, power of attorney. Renewal, substitute, cancellation – similar with additional documents (e.g., approved cancellation agreement).
• Retail Sales by Manufacturers or Importers

• May retail: motor‑powered manufacturing machinery, motor vehicles, office/home furniture, musical instruments, software, bicycles, lifts/escalators, medical equipment, research chemicals, pitch.
• May retail only by manufacturers: bread/sweet foods, cement & ceramic products.
• Council of Ministers may determine other products based on their nature.
• Miscellaneous

• Implements: Commercial Registration and Licensing Proclamation No. 980/2016
• Implemented by: Ethiopian Standard Industrial Classification Directive 17/2019
• Any inconsistent regulations or practices are superseded.
• Effective date: September 14, 2016 (Ethiopian calendar Meskerem 4, 2009