Options for registering companies in Liberia
As Africa's oldest republic and a nation with historical ties to the United States, Liberia is a jurisdiction that operates both a developing domestic market and a highly established international corporate and shipping registry.
The country's common law legal system and its open investment laws, which permit 100% foreign ownership in most sectors, position it as a strategically flexible base for both local operations and global offshore activities.
Liberia offers international companies the following legal structures for establishing a presence:
Corporation (Limited liability company - LLC)
- The LLC in Liberia provides the limited liability protection of a corporation while offering the operational flexibility of a partnership.
- The entity requires a minimum of one member and one manager, who can be of any nationality and do not need to be resident in Liberia.
- An LLC that conducts business within Liberia must register with the Liberia Business Registry (LBR) and is subject to local Corporate Income Tax.
Partnership (General or Limited)
- A Partnership is formed when two or more persons or entities agree to carry on a business together. Both a General Partnership and a Limited Partnership (LP) structure are available.
- In a General Partnership, all partners have unlimited liability for the partnership's debts and actions. In an LP, there must be at least one General Partner with unlimited liability and one or more Limited Partners whose liability is restricted to their capital contribution.
- The partnership itself is generally not taxed; profits and losses flow through to the partners' individual income tax returns.
Limited liability offshore company (Non-resident corporation)
- The Non-Resident Corporation is a key structure used for international business, holding assets, and operating within the global shipping industry, overseen by the Liberian Corporate Registry (LISCR).
- The entity is exempt from all Liberian income, corporate and withholding taxes provided it does not conduct business or derive income from sources within Liberia.
- It benefits from high confidentiality as there is no mandatory public filing of directors, officers, or shareholders. It requires only one director and one shareholder, who can be non-residents.
To help you choose the right structure, we have created an ‘at a glance’ summary table for the common company types that outlines key differences in formation processes, requirements and timelines. It serves as a valuable resource for foreign companies looking to set up or expand a business in Liberia.
Comparison of the common types of companies in Liberia
Information verified against The Liberian Registry
Need help deciding?
Choosing the right business structure is crucial. Speak to our Liberia business setup experts today and get advice tailored to your plans.
