Business Information

Why was the concept of Beneficial Ownership introduced in the Companies Act?

To encourage and increase transparency (the ownership and control structure) of legal persons and arrangements through disclosure of who ultimately owns, controls, exercises substantial interest in, or receives substantial economic benefit from a corporate. Further, the concept of Beneficial Ownership is aimed at curbing the use of corporate bodies for money laundering, bribery and corruption, …

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What is control of a company?

Section 3 of the Companies Act No. 10 of 2017 defines control as follows;“ control ”means the control of a company by a person who— (a) beneficially owns more than twenty-five percent of the issued share capital of the company; (b) is entitled to vote a majority of the votes that may be cast at …

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Are existing companies required to declare who the beneficial owners of shares are?

Yes. Existing companies are required to notify the Registrar in the prescribed form, within fourteen days of such change, where a change occurs with respect to the particulars of shareholding or beneficial ownership stated in a Register maintained in accordance with this Act. Pursuant to section 21(2) the Registrar has established and maintains a Register …

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How do I transfer my shares?

  A share indicates the pecuniary interest of the shareholders and their rights and liabilities. Shares in a Company are freely transferable. For the purpose of transfer of fully paid-up shares, a Notice of Transfer of Shares (Companies Form 3) must be completed. Companies Form 18 must be signed by both the transferor and transferee. …

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How do I disclose the beneficial owners of shares held by shareholders in a company?

The company secretary and board of directors are responsible for ensuring that the company maintains and updates information on the beneficial ownership of all the shares of the company and their associated voting rights. Further, they have a duty to take reasonable steps to ensure that the share and beneficial ownership register is properly kept …

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