How to Get Enhanced Digital Certification (EDC) in Africa

Africa is a continent rich in innovation and enterprise — from microbusinesses in rural towns to multinational exporters in bustling cities. SupplierGateway's Enhanced Digital Certification (EDC) gives African businesses the opportunity to prove their legitimacy, demonstrate equity ownership, and gain recognition with buyers worldwide.

EDC is available in 46 African countries, making it one of the most widely accessible supplier certifications across the continent. The process is fast, affordable, and fully online — often completed in minutes.

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What to Have Ready (Before You Start)

• Business Registration Certificate (e.g., CNRC in Algeria, CAC in Nigeria, CIPC in South Africa, Registrar General in Ghana, RCCM in OHADA countries).

• Tax Identification Number (TIN, VAT, NIF, TPIN, or equivalent).

• Government-issued photo ID for the qualifying owner(s) (passport, national ID, driver’s license, or residence permit).

• Ownership or Formation Documents (e.g., Articles of Association, Partnership Agreement, Memorandum).

• Device with a camera for biometric identity verification.

Pro Tip: Save your documents in PDF format with clear filenames so you can easily upload them during the process and for renewals later.

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Step-by-Step: Completing the EDC Application (Africa Edition)

1. Log In or Create an Account

   • Sign up on SupplierGATEWAY and select your African country from the drop-down list.

2. Start Your EDC Application

   • Click Enhanced Digital Certification (EDC) → Apply/Start.

3. Fill in Business Profile

   • Enter your legal business name exactly as it appears on your registration.

   • Provide business address, phone, and email.

   • Enter your Tax ID (TIN, VAT, or equivalent).

4. Ownership & Category

   • Add owner names, roles, and percentage ownership.

   • Select your qualifying category (women-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, disability-owned, LGBTQ+).

   • Confirm qualifying owners total ≥ 51%.

5. Upload Documents

   • Business Registration Certificate (specific to your country).

   • Tax ID certificate.

   • Government-issued photo ID for qualifying owner(s).

   • Articles, Constitution, or Partnership Agreement (if required by your entity type).

6. Complete Biometric Identity Verification

   • Use your device camera.

   • Ensure good lighting, steady framing, and remove hats or glasses if possible.

7. Review & Attest

   • Double-check details match documents.

   • Sign attestations on ownership and control.

8. Pay the Fee

   • $25 for a 1-year certificate, or $70 for a 3-year certificate.

   • Sponsorship codes may waive the fee.

9. Submit Your Application

   • Most applications are approved in ~15 minutes if everything matches.

   • If corrections are needed, you’ll be notified.

10. Download & Share Your Certificate

    • Store your certificate securely.

    • Share with corporate buyers and upload to supplier portals.

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Country-by-Country Requirements (Africa – 46 Countries)

Algeria – CNRC Trade Register + NIF
Angola – Commercial Licence + NIF
Botswana – CIPA Business Name/Company Extract + BURS TIN
Egypt – Commercial Registration + Tax Card
Ghana – Registrar-General Business Name/Company Certificate + GRA TIN
Kenya – Registrar of Companies Certificate of Incorporation or Business Name + KRA PIN
Nigeria – CAC Business Name/Certificate of Incorporation + FIRS TIN
South Africa – CIPC Certificate of Incorporation + SARS Tax Reference
Uganda – URSB Certificate of Incorporation + URA TIN
Zimbabwe – Registrar of Companies Certificate of Incorporation + ZIMRA BP Number
Morocco – OMPIC Registre de Commerce + Identifiant Fiscal
Tunisia – RNE extract + Tax Registration
Ethiopia – Trade Licence + TIN
Tanzania – BRELA registration + TIN/VAT
Rwanda – RDB registration extract + TIN
Namibia – BIPA Certificate + Tax Registration
Zambia – PACRA registration + TPIN
Mozambique – NUIT + Commercial Registry Extract
Senegal – RCCM registration + NINEA
Côte d’Ivoire – RCCM + NCC (tax)
Cameroon – RCCM + Tax Registration
DRC (Congo-Kinshasa) – RCCM + Tax Registration
Republic of Congo – RCCM + NIF
Gabon – RCCM + NIF
Equatorial Guinea – RCCM + NIF
Benin – RCCM + IFU
Burkina Faso – RCCM + NIF
Central African Republic – RCCM + NIF
Chad – RCCM + NIF
Comoros – RCCM + NIF
Guinea – RCCM + NIF
Guinea-Bissau – RCCM + NIF
Mali – RCCM + NIF
Niger – RCCM + NIF
Togo – RCCM + NIF
Burundi – Registre du Commerce + NIF
Cabo Verde – Business Registration Certificate + NIF
Djibouti – ONED Registration Certificate + NIF
Eritrea – Business Licence + Registration Certificate + Tax ID
Eswatini – Business Name Registration (Companies Registry) + SRA TIN
Gambia – Business Registration Certificate + GRA TIN
Lesotho – Business Name Registration + LRA TIN
Liberia – Liberia Business Registry Certificate + LRA TIN
Libya – Commercial Registration Certificate + Tax Card
Madagascar – Registre du Commerce (RCS) + NIF
Malawi – Registrar General Business Name/Certificate + TPIN
Mauritius – Business Registration Card (BRC) + BRN
Mauritania – Registre de Commerce + NIF
São Tomé and Príncipe – Registo Comercial Certificate + NIF
Seychelles – Business Registration Certificate + SRC TIN
Sierra Leone – Business Registration Certificate + NRA TIN
Somalia – Ministry of Commerce Business Licence + Municipal Licence
South Sudan – Business Name Certificate + NRA TIN

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Validity & Renewal

EDC is valid for 1 year, or 3 years if you choose the extended option.
Renewal simply requires updated documents and re-verification.
SupplierGATEWAY will notify you before expiration.

With SupplierGateway's EDC, businesses across 46 African countries can confidently demonstrate compliance, ownership, and readiness to trade — whether you’re registering in Lagos, Nairobi, Accra, Cairo, Johannesburg, or beyond.