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The zero-tariff benefits for Africa have arrived! When doing business in Africa, which country should you start with to make the most profit? What if it's difficult to collect payments?
2026.04.27
What does this mean? It means that cross-border e-commerce and foreign trade enterprises engaged in African trade will enjoy unprecedented cost advantages and market opportunities.
With policies in place and a market established, are your funding channels ready?
For enterprises engaged in foreign trade and cross-border e-commerce, it is particularly important to have an offshore bank account with an efficient, stable, and internationalized fund collection, payment, and settlement channel.
Overseas-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC), with its excellent financial network and robust banking system, has become the preferred choice for many savvy foreign traders and cross-border e-commerce merchants. In particular, OCBC's support for numerous countries and regions perfectly complements and connects with the vast market covered by Africa's zero-tariff policy. Whether your trading partners are in Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe, or America, an OCBC account enables you to navigate global capital flows with greater ease.
Why choose Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC)?
As the third largest financial center globally, Singapore's banking system is renowned for its stability, security, and internationalization. Among them, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC), as one of the oldest local banks in Singapore, stands out as a leader:
Supporting multi-country settlement: OCBC can cover numerous countries and regions, including major trading nations in Africa, making your fund collection and payment more convenient.
Multi-currency account: Supports multiple currencies such as US dollar, Singapore dollar, Hong Kong dollar, and euro, effectively mitigating exchange rate risk.
Efficient and convenient: The online banking interface is user-friendly, and the speed of capital circulation is fast, meeting the high-frequency and rapid capital turnover needs of cross-border e-commerce.
High account opening efficiency: Compared to traditional European and American banks, the account opening process at OCBC is relatively simple and the review is efficient.
Suitable for cross-border e-commerce/foreign trade: OCBC offers clear account opening solutions for e-commerce enterprises, startups, and newly established Hong Kong companies, meeting the needs of different types of businesses.
Open an account with Hong Kong company + OCBC Bank, and build your "overseas golden combination"
With the strong backing of a bank like OCBC, coupled with a compliant and efficient Hong Kong company, it is undoubtedly a "golden combination" for you to enter the global market. As a bridge connecting the mainland and overseas, a Hong Kong company not only enjoys low tax rates and a free foreign exchange environment, but also forms a perfect match with an OCBC account, enhancing your corporate image and capital operation efficiency.
So, how can one quickly acquire this "golden combination"?
We specialize in providing one-stop services for cross-border e-commerce and foreign trade enterprises, including Hong Kong company registration and bank account opening. For various types of businesses, we have compiled a detailed checklist of OCBC account opening requirements, making it clear and straightforward for you:
Quick Overview of Account Opening Information for OCBC Bank
1. Existing business of Hong Kong company (in operation):
- Company documents: CI (Certificate of Incorporation), BR (Business Registration Certificate), NNC1/NAR1 (Incorporation Form/Annual Return), Articles of Association.
- Information of directors and shareholders: ID card + passport or Hong Kong and Macao Travel Permit of directors and shareholders holding 25% or more shares.
- Bank statement: Bank statements of the Hong Kong company for the past three months.
- Business proof: A set of upstream and downstream contracts and corresponding bank statements within 6 months (one party must be a Hong Kong or overseas company).
- KYC questionnaire: Provided and assisted in completing by us.
II. The Hong Kong company is a new company (not in operation):
- Supporting documents for affiliated companies are required:
- Documents of affiliated companies (business license, etc.).
- Bank statements of the affiliated company for the past three months.
- A set of upstream and downstream contracts and bank statements from the affiliated company within the past six months.
- Or the latest VAT tax return of the affiliated company, upstream and downstream VAT invoices, etc.
III. E-commerce enterprises:
- Basic document: Business license.
- Screenshot of e-commerce platform (clear display required):
- Platform holder information: The holder's name and the store's opening date must be displayed.
- Purchase records: purchase orders, payment records, and warehousing records.
- Sales records: details of sales orders, shipping documents from logistics companies.
- Withdrawal account: The withdrawal account information bound to the store.
IV. Start-up companies (Hong Kong companies or associated companies operating for less than one year):
- It is necessary to provide records of the shareholders' previous work experience, such as:
- Social security records for the past 3 years.
- Proof documents such as labor contracts.
V. Special cases (requiring different materials):
- Holders of Hong Kong Talent Visa: They can provide corresponding identity certificates and simplify some documents.
- Enterprises with Overseas Direct Investment (ODI) filing: They can provide documents such as the "Certificate of Overseas Investment of Enterprises", which can help improve the success rate of account opening.
- In addition, we can also assist in opening a personal account with Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation to meet your needs for personal asset allocation and cross-border living.
The introduction of the zero-tariff policy in Africa has undoubtedly injected the strongest impetus into the cross-border community in 2026. Whoever can take the lead in opening up the dual channels of "trade + capital" will seize the initiative in this blue ocean of Africa.
We have been deeply involved in the field of Hong Kong company registration and account opening for many years, and are well-acquainted with the review preferences of major banks such as OCBC. Whether you are preparing to register a new Hong Kong company to expand into the African market, need to urgently open an account with OCBC, or are interested in learning more about account opening details through special channels such as Gao Cai/ODI, please feel free to reach out to us at any time.
Shengsen International Business
For over 10 years, Shengsen has been dedicated to providing one-stop services including Hong Kong company registration, account opening, annual review, audit and tax filing, ODI filing, changes, notarization and certification, as well as specialized and talented personnel services
Consultation hotline: 13692187795 [also available on vx]
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