How to open a business bank account in Kenya: steps and documents

Snapshot

To open a business account in Kenya you register the business, obtain a Kenya Revenue Authority PIN, gather the formation documents, and apply at a bank with the directors or proprietor present or verified. A limited company needs its certificate of incorporation and a board resolution, while a sole trader uses a business name registration certificate and the proprietor KRA PIN.

Core requirement: Business registration and a KRA PIN certificate
Company needs: Certificate of incorporation and board resolution
Sole trader needs: Business name registration and proprietor KRA PIN
Account currency: Kenyan shilling (KES), with forex options

Requirements as of 28 December 2025Last reviewed 28 December 2025

General information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Verify current terms and eligibility with the provider before applying.

As of 28 December 2025, opening a business account in Kenya follows a clear path: register the business with the Business Registration Service, obtain a Kenya Revenue Authority PIN, gather the formation documents, then apply at a bank. A limited company provides its certificate of incorporation, company KRA PIN, Memorandum and Articles of Association, a board resolution, and the IDs and KRA PINs of directors and signatories. A sole trader uses a business name registration certificate, the proprietor KRA PIN, and a national ID. Confirm the current document list with the bank.

The steps to open a business account in Kenya

The process turns on having the business registered and the tax identifiers ready before you apply. A limited company is incorporated and a sole proprietorship or partnership is registered through the Business Registration Service, and each business and its owners need a Kenya Revenue Authority PIN. Banks then run know your customer checks on the business and its signatories before opening the account. As of 28 December 2025, KCB lists the certificate of registration or incorporation, the KRA PIN certificate, and a board resolution among its business account requirements, and other Kenyan banks ask for a similar set. Confirm the current list with the bank.

Documents for a limited company

A registered company typically provides the certificate of incorporation, the company KRA PIN certificate, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, a board or directors resolution authorising the account and naming signatories, and the national IDs or passports and KRA PINs of directors and signatories. Some banks also ask for a business permit or trading licence and proof of the business address.

Documents for a sole trader

A sole proprietor normally banks using a business name registration certificate from the Business Registration Service together with the proprietor personal KRA PIN and a national ID or passport, rather than forming a limited company. Some banks also ask for a business permit. A foreign owned business faces enhanced checks and may need a work or residence permit.

What every applicant needs

Three things sit at the centre of every business account application in Kenya, as of 28 December 2025. Verify with the provider

Proof that the business is registered, which is the certificate of incorporation for a company or the business name registration certificate for a sole trader.
A Kenya Revenue Authority PIN certificate for the business, plus the KRA PINs and identity documents of directors and signatories.
For a company, a board or directors resolution authorising the account and naming who can operate it.

The international business account providers we compare do not confirm an account for companies registered in Kenya as of 28 December 2025. Established Kenyan banks serve this market, including KCB Bank Kenya, Equity Bank, and Co-operative Bank of Kenya for the shilling account, alongside a receiving service such as Payoneer for overseas income. Confirm the current document list and terms with the provider before applying.

Questions about opening a business account in Kenya

What documents do I need to open a business account in Kenya?

For a limited company, banks typically ask for the certificate of incorporation, the company KRA PIN certificate, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, a board or directors resolution to open the account, and the IDs or passports and KRA PINs of directors and signatories. A sole trader normally uses a business name registration certificate, the proprietor KRA PIN, and a national ID. As of 28 December 2025, confirm the current list with the bank.

Do I need a KRA PIN to open a business account in Kenya?

Yes. Banks require a Kenya Revenue Authority PIN certificate, the company PIN for a registered company and the proprietor PIN for a sole trader, alongside the PINs of directors and signatories. As of 28 December 2025, confirm the requirement with the bank.

Can a foreigner open a business account in Kenya?

It is possible but subject to enhanced checks. A foreign owned company is registered through the Business Registration Service, and banks may ask for a work or residence permit, passports, and additional documentation for foreign directors. The position varies by bank, so confirm with the provider, as of 28 December 2025.

How long does it take to open a business account in Kenya?

Timing varies by bank and by how complete the documents are. A straightforward sole trader or company application can be opened within a few days once registration and KRA PIN documents are ready, while accounts with foreign directors can take longer due to extra checks. Confirm current timelines with the bank, as of 28 December 2025.

Fees, features, and eligibility change and vary by region. This page was last reviewed on 28 December 2025. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.

How to open a business bank account in Kenya