Build your UAE presence with a clear plan and one point of coordination.
UAE business setup for African founders
Stratagem helps founders assess a suitable UAE setup route, understand likely requirements and costs, prepare their information, and coordinate the process with relevant providers and authorities.
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Eligibility, business activities, licensing, visas and other approvals are subject to the relevant authority’s requirements and decision.
Stratagem is an independent consultancy coordinating with RAKEZ and relevant third parties. We are not a government authority.
Across the continent
Founders across Africa
Founders from Nigeria and other African countries are welcome to ask Stratagem to assess possible UAE setup and residence routes.
These markets are examples of where founders may enquire from, not a complete list or a guarantee of eligibility. Eligibility depends on the individual case, proposed activity and relevant authority requirements.
- West Africa
- Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal
- East Africa
- Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia
- Central Africa
- Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon
- Southern Africa
- South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana
- North Africa
- Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia
Why consider a UAE base
What a UAE presence can make possible.
- 01Establish a UAE presence for activities approved under the selected licence.
- 02Coordinate business relationships and operations from a well-connected regional business environment.
- 03Explore opportunities to connect with customers, suppliers and partners in the UAE and surrounding markets. GCC travel remains subject to destination entry requirements.
- 04Consider residence options where available and eligible, subject to immigration requirements and approval.
What Stratagem coordinates
A managed process, in five steps.
- 01
Initial discussion
We understand the proposed business, activity, ownership, your current country of residence, likely visa needs and timing.
- 02
Route assessment
We identify a potential setup route and confirm activity and eligibility questions with RAKEZ or the relevant authority before making a firm recommendation.
- 03
Scope, preliminary approval and payment request
Payment is requested only after RAKEZ confirms preliminary approval for your proposed activity and setup route. Once Stratagem receives that confirmation, we provide an itemised payment request showing the setup-package and Stratagem fees. No written pre-approval is required. Authority charges and known third-party costs are identified separately; estimates and items awaiting confirmation are marked as such. Applicable refund conditions are disclosed before payment.
- 04
Preparation and application coordination
You receive a tailored checklist. We help organise your information and coordinate submission and follow-up. Stratagem does not issue or approve licences.
- 05
After-licence coordination
Where requested and available, we coordinate next steps such as residence-visa processing, medical and Emirates ID steps, renewals or introductions to service providers. Each may involve separate fees, requirements and approvals.
Stratagem’s role
We assess, prepare, coordinate and follow up. We do not issue or approve licences, visas or bank accounts.
Your responsibilities
- Provide accurate and complete information.
- Review and approve documents before submission.
- Meet authority, immigration, bank and provider requirements.
- Pay agreed charges.
Banking readiness
Banking readiness and application support.
After setup, Stratagem can help you prepare a business profile and supporting documents for banking applications, understand likely onboarding requirements, and coordinate applications or introductions to potentially suitable banks and payment providers. A UAE presence may give an eligible business additional options to explore for corporate banking and cross-border payments.
Account approval, services and timing depend on each provider’s due diligence. Provider fees and requirements are disclosed separately.
Banking support is covered by the AED 5,000 Stratagem fee only to the extent your agreed written scope includes it.
Pricing
Two options, shown in full.
Stratagem’s prices in UAE dirhams. Each separates the setup package from our coordination fee. Neither option is all-inclusive.
When payment is requested
Payment is requested only after RAKEZ confirms preliminary approval for the proposed activity and setup route. Once Stratagem receives that confirmation, you receive an itemised payment request showing the setup-package and Stratagem fees. Written pre-approval is not required.
Payments are subject to the applicable refund terms. The refund conditions will be stated clearly before payment. Stratagem still needs to confirm which fees, if any, are refundable, the circumstances in which a refund applies, any refund amounts or deductions, and the applicable timelines. No refund entitlement, amount or deadline is promised here.
Preliminary approval is not final licence issuance, visa approval or bank-account approval. Further requirements and authority decisions may still apply.
UAE setup with residence-visa processing
- Setup package
- AED 14,000
- Stratagem coordination fee
- AED 5,000
- Total
- AED 19,000
- Setup package intended to include a health insurance plan. The actual policy, eligibility, benefits and exclusions are awaiting confirmation.
- Residence-visa processing is coordination of the application. It does not guarantee visa approval.
- Full list of package inclusions and exclusions: awaiting written confirmation.
UAE setup without residence-visa processing
- Setup package
- AED 8,000
- Stratagem coordination fee
- AED 5,000
- Total
- AED 13,000
- No residence-visa processing is included in this option.
- Full list of package inclusions and exclusions: awaiting written confirmation.
Not included in either total
- Applicable taxes, including any VAT, unless confirmed in your written cost breakdown.
- Bank, payment-provider and other third-party charges, disclosed separately.
- Authority charges for activities, approvals or services outside the confirmed package.
- Any item not confirmed in writing in your scope and cost breakdown.
These are Stratagem prices, not RAKEZ promotion prices, and RAKEZ promotions do not apply to every client. For authority information see the official RAKEZ page.
Questions
Frequently asked, answered plainly.
Can founders from my country apply?
Eligibility is case-specific and must be confirmed against current authority requirements. Routes are not the same for every nationality. Share your nationality and current country of residence in the enquiry form for an initial review.
Can I begin from my current country?
Some licence application steps may be handled online. Later steps, such as residence-visa processing, medical tests, biometrics and Emirates ID, can have their own requirements, which may include being in the UAE. We do not promise that the complete company and residency process can be done remotely.
What documents will I need?
A valid passport is commonly a starting point. The exact checklist depends on activity, structure, shareholders, visa requirements and authority checks. You receive a tailored checklist after the initial assessment. Please do not send documents through the public form.
What will it cost?
With residence-visa processing: setup package AED 14,000 plus Stratagem coordination fee AED 5,000, total AED 19,000. Without residence-visa processing: setup package AED 8,000 plus coordination fee AED 5,000, total AED 13,000. Taxes, provider charges and third-party costs not confirmed in writing are not included. Neither option is all-inclusive.
How long does setup take?
Timing depends on document readiness, activity and structure review, compliance checks, payment and authority processing. We give an estimate only after your specific route is confirmed.
Does a company licence guarantee a residence visa?
No. Visa availability and approval depend on the selected package, eligibility and immigration requirements.
Does company setup guarantee a bank account?
No. Banks and providers make independent onboarding and compliance decisions.
Does Stratagem handle the entire process?
Stratagem coordinates the steps described on this page. You remain responsible for providing accurate information, reviewing and approving documents, meeting requirements and paying agreed charges. Authorities, banks and providers make their own decisions.
Refer a business
Know a founder exploring a UAE presence?
Introduce them to Stratagem. Eligible referrals may qualify for a referral reward when they meet the programme terms and result in a completed engagement.
- Programme terms are being finalised. No specific reward or payment is promised at this stage.
- Any reward is offered by Stratagem under its own written terms. It is not funded or endorsed by RAKEZ.
- Please share the link below so the founder can send their own enquiry. Do not submit another person’s details without their agreement.
Initial enquiry
Discuss your UAE setup.
Share your nationality, country of residence and plans for an initial review. No account is created and no documents are requested. Please do not send passport copies, Emirates IDs, bank statements or other sensitive documents here.