Directive harmonising the conditions for carrying on commercial activity in CEMAC

Adopted at the UEAC Council of Ministers meeting of 8 December 2021 and signed in Yaoundé on 28 December 2021, this short directive establishes freedom to carry on commercial activity within CEMAC, referring to the definition in the OHADA uniform act on general commercial law. It keeps the prohibitions, incapacities and incompatibilities provided by law. It states that a natural or legal person from outside CEMAC may need an authorisation or approval from the competent national authority. Trader status is granted to anyone registered in the trade and personal property credit register (RCCM), and the national authority may issue a trader's card. Member states, including Gabon, have one year from entry into force, set at six months after signature, to comply.