Corporate & Commercial Law

Corporate & Commercial Law

At Beza & Associates Law Office, corporate and commercial practice stands at the heart of our services. With over a decade of experience advising local and international businesses, our firm provides comprehensive legal guidance across the full spectrum of corporate and commercial law in Ethiopia.

We assist clients from start-up ventures to multinational corporations in structuring, managing, and protecting their business interests. Our approach combines in-depth understanding of Ethiopian corporate regulations with strategic insight into the commercial realities of operating in a rapidly transforming economy.

1. Business Establishment & Corporate Structuring

We guide clients through every step of setting up and maintaining a business in Ethiopia. This includes choosing the appropriate legal form, preparing founding documents, and securing the necessary licenses and permits.
Our services cover:

• Company incorporation and trade name reservation

• Drafting Memorandum and Articles of Association

• Shareholder and partnership agreements

• Business licensing, tax registration, and investment permits

• Corporate restructuring, reorganization, and dissolution

• Compliance with the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) and Ministry of Trade & Regional Integration (MoTRI) requirements

2. Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

We represent both buyers and sellers in mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures — providing due diligence, transaction structuring, and negotiation support to ensure compliance and commercial success.
Our M&A services include:

• Legal due diligence and risk assessment

• Drafting and negotiation of share purchase and asset transfer agreements

• Joint venture structuring and shareholder agreements

• Competition and merger control filings with the Trade Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (TCCPA)

• Post-transaction integration and compliance advisory

3. Commercial Contracts & Transactions

Contracts are the backbone of business relationships. Our firm drafts, reviews, and negotiates a wide range of commercial contracts that safeguard client interests and reduce legal exposure.
Key areas include:

• Supply, distribution, and agency agreements

• Franchise and licensing arrangements

• Service and consultancy contracts

• Equipment lease and finance agreements

• Non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements (NDAs)

• Procurement and public–private partnership (PPP) contracts

Our team ensures that all contracts are legally enforceable under Ethiopian law, compliant with international standards, and aligned with clients’ business objectives.

4. Corporate Governance & Shareholder Relations

We help companies design robust governance frameworks that promote transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability.
Our expertise covers:

• Board of directors’ roles, duties, and liability

• Shareholder meetings and corporate resolutions

• Conflict of interest management and corporate ethics policies

• Regulatory compliance audits and internal control systems

• Corporate secretarial services and record maintenance

We also support family-owned and private enterprises in succession planning and governance modernization to enhance business continuity and investor confidence.

5. Regulatory Compliance & Government Liaison

Ethiopia’s business landscape is governed by a growing network of laws, directives, and regulatory authorities. Beza & Associates assists clients in staying compliant, minimizing exposure to penalties, and maintaining constructive relationships with regulators.
Our regulatory compliance services include:

• Ongoing compliance monitoring and risk management

• Corporate filings, renewals, and reporting obligations

• Investment code, tax, and commercial law advisory

• Representation before the Ethiopian Investment Commission, Ministry of Finance, National Bank of Ethiopia, and sectoral regulators

• Legal opinions and policy review on emerging regulations

6. Foreign Investment & Market Entry Advisory

We provide tailored legal advice for foreign investors entering the Ethiopian market, ensuring smooth establishment, protection of interests, and long-term success.
Our services include:

• Investment registration and licensing under the Investment Proclamation No. 1180/2020 and subsequent amendments

• Structuring of foreign shareholding and repatriation mechanisms

• Drafting of joint venture and technology transfer agreements

• Negotiation of land lease and incentive packages

• Ongoing compliance with investment and exchange control laws