Documents Required to Open a Bank Account in Cameroon (Companies, Associations and Individuals)

To open a bank account in Cameroon is often treated as a simple administrative step, but in practice it is one of the first compliance tests your business or organisation must pass.

In practice, it is one of the first compliance tests your business or organisation must pass.

Most delays do not come from the bank itself.
They come from how the company or association was registered and documented.

This guide explains, clearly and calmly, the documents required to open a bank account in Cameroon for companies, associations and individuals, and how to prepare your file properly.

Why opening a bank account in Cameroon is mainly a documentation process

Banks in Cameroon are required to establish:

• who the customer is,
• who controls the account,
• who can sign on the account, and
• where the activity is physically located.

That is why a bank file is treated almost like a legal audit. A missing document can be corrected. An inconsistent document usually creates delays.

Documents required to open a resident company bank account in Cameroon (SA / SARL)

Legal and registration documents

• Company Registration Certificate
• Articles of association under OHADA law, notarised or authenticated
• Licence or specific authorisation to operate certain regulated activities
• Minutes of the General Meeting or Board of Directors appointing officers, where applicable

Ownership and management documents

• Copy of a valid identity document of the shareholder or majority shareholder
• Company Registration Certificate if the majority shareholder is a company
• Copy of the national identity card of the statutory manager (SARL) or managing director (SA)
• Copy of valid identity documents of other signatories, if any

Administrative and operational documents

• Unique Identification Number (NIU) [Tax ID]
• Two passport-size photographs of the company representative(s)
• Signatory powers and account operating procedures
• Location map of the head office or a water or electricity bill
• Financial report or last annual report, when required
• Signed request to open an account on company letterhead

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Documents required to open a non-resident company bank account in Cameroon

• Notarised Company Registration Certificate
• Notarised articles of association
• Approval or specific authorisation to operate certain activities
• Minutes appointing officers, if not stated in the articles
• Unique Identification Number (NIU) [Tax ID]
• Power of attorney of the legal representative, notarised
• Two passport-size photographs and copy of valid ID of the legal representative
• Copy of valid ID of the shareholder or majority shareholder
• Company Registration Certificate if the majority shareholder is a company
• Location plan of the head office
• Financial report of the previous year, when required
• Letter of good standing from the current bank

Documents required to open an association bank account in Cameroon

Religious associations

• Authorisation by decree of the President of the Republic

Sports associations and federations

• Approval from the Ministry of Sports

Other associations

• Final receipt from the Ministry of Territorial Administration or proof of registration
• Signed application to open an account
• Association by-laws
• Complete list of association members
• Minutes of the General Meeting authorising the opening of the account
• Designation of signatories and signature combinations
• Attendance list of the deliberations
• Copies of valid IDs and location plans of the homes of signatories
• Location map of the association’s offices
• Signatory powers and account operating procedures
• Unique Identification Number (NIU) [Tax ID]

Documents required to open an sole proprietor business account (entreprise individuelle)

• Registration Certificate (RCCM extract), except for certain liberal professions
• Licence or authorisation for regulated activities
• Tax Compliance Certificate (ACF)
• Taxpayer card or NIU certificate
• Copy of a valid identity document of the promoter or account holder
• Signatory powers and operating procedures
• Two passport-size photographs per signatory
• Location plan of the establishment

Documents required to open a personal bank account in Cameroon

Resident

• Copy of valid national identity card
• Proof of professional activity or income
• Two passport-size photographs per signatory
• House location map or utility bill
• Unique Identification Number (NIU) [Tax ID]

Non-resident

• Copy of residence permit or residence card and passport, where applicable
• Proof of professional activity or income
• Letter of good standing from the usual bank
• Two passport-size photographs
• Proof of address or utility bill
• Unique Identification Number (NIU) [Tax ID]

The most common reason bank files are delayed

In Cameroon, most files are delayed because documents do not match.

Banks compare:

• company names,
• shareholder names,
• manager titles,
• addresses, and
• signature mandates.

Small inconsistencies between the Registration Certificate (RCCM), statutes and meeting minutes often lead to long internal checks.

This problem usually starts during incorporation.

How OpenHub Consulting supports founders before they reach the bank

Many of the bank problems we see are incorporation problems.

OpenHub Consulting supports founders to register their companies properly, with documents structured to be usable not only for legal existence, but also for banking and institutional processes.

You can learn more about our incorporation services.

For clients who register their companies through OpenHub Consulting, we also provide assistance with bank account opening at no extra cost. This support focuses on preparing a clean and consistent bank file.

Related guides

To deepen your preparation, you may also read:

• How to register a company in Cameroon – legal and practical guide
• How long does it take to register a business in Cameroon?
• Documents Required to Open a UBA Cameroon Bank Account