Ethiopia Gives Companies 6 Months to Name Real Owners
Ethiopian companies have six months to tell the government who really owns them, a new hurdle for US investors in banks, shares and property. The post Ethiopia Gives Companies 6 Months to Name Real Owners appeared first on The Rio Times .
Ethiopia has mandated that all companies register with the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration, revealing the true identities of their owners or controllers. Existing businesses are given six months to comply with this new regulation, known as Council of Ministers Regulation No. 592. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who has led the government since 2018, signed the regulation into law. The regulation was formally announced in the Federal Negarit Gazette on July 10, 2026.
Beneficial owners, defined as the natural individuals who ultimately own or control a company, must be disclosed. The minimum threshold for ownership varies depending on the type of firm. For share companies, anyone owning 10% or more of shares or convertible debt must be disclosed. In industries such as mining, real estate, car dealing, and import-export, the threshold drops to 5%. For partnerships and public-private partnerships, the threshold is 25%.
Companies must record each owner's full name, date and place of birth, nationality, address, phone number, email, and occupation. They must also log identity document numbers, such as a digital ID or passport, and indicate if the owner is a politically exposed person. Each company must appoint an information officer to review the owner data at least twice a year and report any changes within 14 days.
Foreign companies entering Ethiopia must file their owner data before registration. The rule is enforced under Ethiopia's anti-money laundering law, Proclamation No. 780, as amended by Proclamation No. 1387. Failure to comply can result in fines ranging from 100,000 to 500,000 birr (approximately US$620 to US$3,100). Non-compliant firms may also face suspension or cancellation of trade licences, business registration, or investment permits.
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