Land, Property & Trade

Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020

Modernised company law — single-member companies allowed, electronic incorporation, beneficial ownership transparency, e-AGM permitted.

Signed
2020-08-07
Status
In force

1 Background

CAMA 2020 replaced the 1990 Act after 30 years. It introduced single-member private limited companies (you no longer need a partner to incorporate), permits fully-electronic incorporation via the CAC portal, requires disclosure of beneficial owners (5%+ shareholders), legalised electronic AGMs (relevant during COVID and after), and modernised the insolvency framework with administration as a rescue route. It also brought NGOs and incorporated trustees under tighter regulation.

2 Key provisions (6)

01
Single-member private limited companies allowed
02
Electronic incorporation via CAC portal
03
Beneficial ownership transparency (5%+ stake disclosed)
04
Electronic AGMs permitted
05
Modernised insolvency framework with administration route
06
Stricter regulation of incorporated trustees (NGOs)

3 What changed in practice

CAC turnaround time for incorporation dropped from 14 days to 24 hours
Beneficial Ownership Register operational since 2023
Several listed companies have held e-AGMs
NGO regulation tightened (some controversy)

4 Who it affects

Founders / SMEsListed companiesNGOsCAC

5 What it repealed / replaced

Other laws in Land, Property & Trade