The map above was created by BusinessFinancing.co.uk and shows the oldest company still in business today in almost every country on earth.
They also have smaller versions for each continent which you can see below:
But first here are the 10 oldest companies in the world:
| YEAR | COUNTRY | COMPANY NAME | INDUSTRY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 578 | Japan | Kongō Gumi | Construction company |
| 803 | Austria | St. Peter Stifts Kulinarium | Restaurant |
| 862 | Germany | Staffelter Hof | Winery |
| 864 | France | Monnaie de Paris | Mint |
| 886 | England | The Royal Mint | Mint |
| 900 | Ireland | Sean’s Bar | Pub |
| 1040 | Italy | Pontificia Fonderia Marinelli | Bell foundry |
| 1074 | Belgium | Affligem Brewery | Brewery |
| 1135 | Denmark | Munke Mølle | Mill |
| 1153 | China | Ma Yu Ching’s Bucket Chicken House | Restaurant |
Also, while the map is really well done, a few people have noticed some potential errors on the original post.
These include:
- Hungary is innacurate. The oldest operational company is called BÁV. It’s a pawnshop and auction house with several branches around the country. They continuously operate since 1773.
- The oldest company in Israel is Galilee Wine Cellar Joseph Gold & Sons Ltd., established in 1824 and still operating.
- Romanian: Temeswar Brewery (1718) and not Ursus Brewery (1878)
- The Shore Porters Society was founded in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1498, nearly 200 years before the date given for the Bank of Scotland.
- Or Scotland is incorrect. The oldest company is Aberdeen Harbour Board was established in 1136. It is the oldest company in Britain and still operates today. (note now renamed Port of Aberdeen)
- For Switzerland, I don’t see Vacheron Constantin (1755) the world oldest watch company with a continuous activity since its beginning
- In my country (Poland) the oldest company would be Wieliczka est. in 1044 (at least this is the date of the oldest known document in which the name of the company appears). It still exists today and is very much in operation but rather as one of the main tourist attractions, hotel and spa business rather than salt mining (due to the mine flood in 1992 they had to stop production in 1996). And to make matters even more confusing both Wieliczka and Bochnia (that you found) were originally part of the same “salt mine belt” owned by the Polish king.
- The oldest company in Brazil is called the Brazilian Post and Telegraph Company – ECT, or simply Correios, founded on January 25, 1663.
- For Guatemala: the brewery “Cervecería Centroamericana” was founded in 1896, long before the company listed on this map.
- Wales (not listed): Red Lion, Llanafan Fawr. A pub known to be open in 1188 and certainly older. This is well attested. For example it is mentioned in the books of the priest Gerald of Wales an early geographer and historian. Less certainly, Margam Abbey steel works, circa 1130 as an iron works.
- Here in Fiji, it’s likely that the oldest company still operating is the Fiji Times newspaper (1869)
- The oldest company founded in DR [Dominican Republic] is “J. Armando Bermúdez & Co., S.A.”(18252) a company of rums, and still running.
- I don’t know about other countries but quick search in wikipedia shows that there are companies in Russia that are established earlier than in 1721. For example Nevyansk Mechanical Plant is established in 1701
- In Finland, Posti was established in 1638, that would be 11 years earlier than Fiskars
- Even though Kongo Gumi is no more, the next oldest business in the world is Nisiyama Onsen Keiunkan, a Japanese inn established in 705.
- In Portugal, the oldest company is the Portuguese Mint
- Not so fast. Collegiate School in NYC is in business since 1628
- I don’t see Beretta, the Italian arms company, which was founded in 1526
- Slovenia company Zlatarna Celje 1844
- Sweden – stora enso was incorporated (first record date) as Stora Kopparbergs Bergslags in 1288
- Iran one thing that comes to my mind is this company is Astan Quds Razavi They were founded April 11, 1510
- The Chilean Mint (Casa de Moneda de Chile), being founded in 1743, is our oldest company
Map Of The Oldest Companies in Europe
Here’s the full list by country:
| Country | Business | Year Founded | Address | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | ALBtelecom | 1912 | ALBtelecom Sh.a. Tirana- Durres Highway, Km7, Kashar, Tirana, Albania | Telecommunications |
| Andorra | Andbank | 1930 | Andorra la Vella, Andorra | Banking & Finance |
| Armenia | Yerevan Ararat Brandy-Wine-Vodka Factory | 1877 | 9 Argishti St, Yerevan 0015, Armenia | Distillers, Vintners, & Breweries (Distillery) |
| Austria | St. Peter Stifts Kulinarium | 803 | Sankt-Peter-Bezirk 1/4, 5020 Salzburg, Austria | Service Industry (Restaurant) |
| Belarus | Olivaria Brewery | 1864 | OJSC Brewing Company Olivaria, Belarus, Minsk, Kiseleva, 30, UNP 100128525 | Distillers, Vintners, & Breweries (Brewery) |
| Belgium | Affligem Brewery | 1074 | Affligem, Brewery | Distillers, Vintners, & Breweries (Brewery) |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Sarajevska Pivara | 1864 | Franjevačka 15, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia I Hercegovina | Distillers, Vintners, & Breweries (Brewery) |
| Bulgaria | Arsenal AD | 1878 | Kazanlak, Bulgaria | Defense |
| Croatia | Kraljevica Shipyard | 1729 | Kralja Tomislava 8, 51262 Kraljevica | Manufacturing & Production (Shipyard) |
| Cyprus | Bank of Cyprus | 1899 | 51 Stassinos Street, Strovolos, P.O. Box 21472, 1599, Nicosia, Cyprus | Banking & Finance |
| Czech Republic | Pivovar Broumov | 1348 | Osvobození 55, 550 01,Broumov, Czech Republic | Distillers, Vintners, & Breweries (Brewery) |
| Denmark | Munke Mølle | 1135 | Odense, Denmark | Manufacturing & Production (Flour Mill) |
| England | The Royal Mint | 886 | Pontyclun CF72 8YT, United Kingdom | Manufacturing & Production (Mint) |
| Estonia | Raeapteek | 1422 | Raekoja plats 11, 10146 Tallinn, Estonia | Medical (Pharmacy) |
| Finland | Fiskars | 1649 | Hämeentie 135 A, Hameentie 135A, FI-0056+1 Helsinki, Finland | Consumer Goods |
| France | Monnaie de Paris | 864 | 11 Quai de Conti, 75006 Paris, France | Manufacturing & Production (Mint) |
| Germany | Staffelter Hof Winery | 862 | Robert-Schuman-Straße 208, 54536 Kröv, Germany | Distillers, Vintners, & Breweries (Winery) |
| Greece | Piraeus Bank | 1606 | 4 Amerikis St, 105 64 Athens, Greece | Banking & Finance |
| Hungary | Zwack | 1790 | Budapest, Hungary | Distillers, Vintners, & Breweries (Distiller) |
| Iceland | Íslandspóstur | 1776 | No data | Postal service |
| Ireland | Sean's Bar | 900 | Main Street, Athlone, Co Westmeath, Ireland | Service Industry (Pub) |
| Italy | Marinelli Bell Foundry | 1040 | Campane Marinelli SNC - Via Felice D''Onofrio, 14 Agnone IS 86081 Italy | Manufacturing & Production (Bell foundry) |
| Kosovo | Meridian Corporation | 1999 | Blvd. Bill Clinton, Zona Industriale pn, Pristina 10000 Kosovo | Media (Advertising) |
| Latvia | Cēsu Alus | 1590 | Aldaru laukums 1, Cēsis, Cēsu pilsēta, LV-4101, Latvia | Distillers, Vintners, & Breweries (Brewery) |
| Liechtenstein | National Bank of Liechtenstein | 1861 | Liechtensteinische Landesbank AG P.O. Box 384 9490 Vaduz, Liechtenstein | Banking & Finance |
| Lithuania | Gubernija | 1665 | Dvaro g. 179, Šiauliai 76176, Lithuania | Distillers, Vintners, & Breweries (Brewery) |
| Luxembourg | Mousel | 1511 | Brasserie Luxembourg Mousel - Diekirch Ltd, L-9214 Diekirch, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg | Distillers, Vintners, & Breweries (Brewery) |
| Malta | HSBC Bank Malta | 1882 | HSBC Bank Malta plc 116 Archbishop Valletta, VLT 1444, Malta | Banking & Finance |
| Moldova | No data | No data | No data | No data |
| Monaco | No data | No data | No data | No data |
| Montenegro | Pošta Crne Gore | 1841 | 1 Sava Ilića, Igalo, Montenegro | Postal service |
| Netherlands | The Brand Brewery | 1340 | Brouwerijstraat 2, 6321 AG Wijlre, Netherlands | Distillers, Vintners, & Breweries (Brewery) |
| North Macedonia | Tutunski kombinat Prilep | 1873 | Kuzman Josifovski 278, Prilep 7500, North Macedonia | Consumer Goods (Tobacco) |
| Norway | Posten Norge | 1647 | Biskop Gunnerus' gate 14A, 0185 Oslo, Norway | Postal service |
| Poland | Bochnia Salt Mine | 1248 | Campi 15, 32-700 Bochnia, Poland | Mine (Salt) |
| Portugal | CTT-Correios de Portugal SA | 1520 | Avenida D. João II 13 Lisboa, 1999-001 Portugal | Postal service |
| Romania | Ursus Breweries | 1878 | Ursus Breweries, Șoseaua Pipera no.43, Sector 2, Bucharest, Postal code: 020112 | Distillers, Vintners, & Breweries (Brewery) |
| Scotland | Bank of Scotland | 1695 | The Mound, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom | Banking & Finance |
| Serbia | Apatin Brewery | 1756 | Trg Oslobođenja 5, Apatin, Serbia | Distillers, Vintners, & Breweries (Brewery) |
| Slovakia | Kremnica Mint | 1328 | Štefánikovo námestie 25/24, 967 01 Kremnica, Slovakia | Manufacturing & Production (Mint) |
| Slovenia | Gostilna Gastuž | 1467 | Špitalič pri Slovenskih Konjicah 9, 3215 Slovenija | Tourism & Hotels (Hotel) |
| Spain | Casa de Ganaderos | 1218 | San Andrés Street 8, C.P. 50001, Zaragoza | Agriculture (Sheep Farming Cooperative) |
| Sweden | Skyllbergs bruk | 1346 | Skyllbergsvägen 11, 694 99 Skyllberg, Sweden | Manufacturing & Production (Iron and Steel Processing) |
| Switzerland | Gasthof Sternen | 1230 | Sennhüttenstrasse 1 8602 Wangen, Dübendorf, Switzerland | Tourism & Hotels (Hotel) |
| Turkey | Çemberlitaş Hamamı | 1584 | Mollafenari, Vezirhan Cd. No:8, 34440 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey | Service Industry (Turkish Bath) |
| Ukraine | Drohobych salt plant | 1250 | Drogobych, Lviv Oblast, Ukraine | Manufacturing & Production (Salt Production) |
Map Of The Oldest Companies in Asia
Here’s the full list by country:
| Country | Business | Year Founded | Address | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Spinzar Cotton Company | 1930 | OFFICE # 1, First Floor, Black B, Shamsi Plaza, Kolola Pushta Road, Shahr-E-Naw, Kabul, Afghanistan | Agriculture |
| Azerbaijan | Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company | 1858 | Baku, Azerbaijan | Aviation & Transport(Shipping) |
| Bahrain | BMMI | 1883 | Road No 4304, Manama, Bahrain | Retail |
| Bangladesh | M. M. Ispahani Limited | 1820 | M.M.Ispahani Limited, Ispahani Building, Sk. Mujib Road, Agrabad C/A, Chittagong-4100 | Food & Beverages |
| Bhutan | Tashi Group | 1959 | No data | Aviation & Transport (Airline) |
| Brunei | Hua Ho Department Store | 1947 | Lot 22083, Block C, Setia Kenangan Building, Kiulap Gadong BE 1518, Negara, Brunei Darussalam | Retail |
| Cambodia | National Bank of Cambodia | 1954 | 22-24 Norodom Blvd, Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Banking & Finance |
| China (People's Republic of China) | Ma Yu Ching's Bucket Chicken House | 1153 | Kaifeng, China | Service Industry (Restaurant) |
| Georgia | Bank of Georgia | 1903 | 29a Iuri Gagarini St, Tbilisi, Georgia | Banking and Finance |
| India | Wadia Group | 1736 | C1- Wadia International Centre, (BOMBAY Dyeing), Pandurang Budhkar Marg, Mumbai 400 025, India | Manufacturing & Production (Textiles) |
| Indonesia | Pindad | 1808 | Jln Gatot Subroto No 517 Bandung, 40285 Indonesia | Defense |
| Iran | No data | No data | No data | No data |
| Iraq | North Oil Company | 1928 | No data | Energy (Oil & Gas) |
| Israel | Café Abu Salem | 1914 | 6143 St 7-15, Nazareth, Israel | Service Industry |
| Japan | Kongō Gumi | 578 | 1-14-29 Shitennoji, Tennoji-ku, Osaka | Construction |
| Jordan | Arab Bank | 1930 | P.O. Box 950545, Amman, Jordan | Banking & Finance |
| Kazakhstan | Bogatyr Access Komir | 1913 | Ekibastuz, Kazakhstan | Mining |
| Kuwait | M.H. Alshaya Co. | 1890 | Alshaya Group Head Office: Burj Alshaya Al Soor Street Al Mirqab, Kuwait | Retail |
| Kyrgyzstan | No data | No data | No data | No data |
| Laos | Electricite du Laos | 1959 | Vientiane, Laos | Energy (Electricity Supply) |
| Lebanon (Republic of Lebanon) | Bank Audi | 1830 | 11-2560 Beirut, Lebanon | Banking & Finance |
| Malaysia | Pos Malaysia | 1800 | Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, City Centre, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur | Postal Service |
| Maldives | No data | No data | No data | No data |
| Mongolia | Mongolian National Broadcaster | 1931 | Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia | Media (Broadcasting) |
| Myanmar (Burma) | Myanmar National Airlines | 1948 | 104 Strand Rd, ရန်ကုန် 11182, Myanmar (Burma) | Aviation & Transport (Airline) |
| Nepal | Nepal Bank Limited | 1937 | No data | Banking & Finance |
| North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) | Kim Chong-t'ae Electric Locomotive Works | 1945 | No data | Aviation & Transport (Railways) |
| Oman | Petroleum Development Oman | 1937 | No data | Energy (Oil & Gas) |
| Pakistan | House of Habib | 1841 | Shahrah-e-Faisal Rd, Karachi Memon Co-operative Housing Society Jinnah Housing Society PECHS, Karachi, Karachi City, Sindh, Pakistan | Conglomerate: Auto / Building / Packaging |
| Palestine | No data | No data | No data | No data |
| Philippines | Destileria Limtuaco | 1853 | Destileria Limtuaco Bldg., 1830 E Delos Santos Avenue, Balintawak, Quezon City, 1106 Metro Manila, Philippines | Distillers, Vintners, & Breweries |
| Qatar | Salam International Investment Limited | 1952 | No data | Conglomerate: Construction / Consumer Goods / Energy |
| Russia | Petrodvorets Watch Factory | 1721 | Petrodvorets (Saint Petersburg), Russia | Consumer Goods |
| Saudi Arabia | House of Alireza | 1845 | P.O. Box 8, Jeddah 21411, Saudi Arabia | Construction |
| Singapore | Singapore Post | 1819 | 10 Eunos Road 8, #07-31, Singapore Post Centre, Singapore 408600 | Postal Service |
| South Korea | KT Corporation | 1885 | 90 Bull Jeong-ro (206 Jeongja-dong), Bundang-gu, Seongnam-city, GyeongGi-Do, 13606 Korea | Telecommunications |
| Sri Lanka | George Steuart Group | 1835 | No. 439, Galle Road, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka | Food & Beverages |
| Syria | Bakdash | 1885 | Al-Hamidiyah Souq, Damascus, Syria | Service Industry (Ice Cream Parlor) |
| Taiwan (Republic of China) | Bank of Taiwan | 1897 | No.120, Sec. 1, Chongqing S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei City 10007, Taiwan | Banking & Finance |
| Tajikistan | No data | No data | No data | No data |
| Thailand | B.Grimm Group | 1878 | Dr Gerhard Link Building, Huamark 5 Krungthep Kreetha Rd, Huamark Bangkok, 10240 Thailand | Conglomerate: Energy / Healthcare / Transport / Real Estate |
| Timor-Leste (East Timor) | No data | No data | No data | No data |
| Turkmenistan | No data | No data | No data | No data |
| United Arab Emirates | Liwa Chemicals | 1939 | Lulu Street, Marina Plaza Building, P O Box 29861, Abu Dhabi, UAE | Manufacturing & Production (Petroleum & Industrial Supplies) |
| Uzbekistan | Tashkent Aviation Production Association | 1932 | Tashkent, Uzbekistan | Manufacturing & Production (Aircraft Production) |
| Vietnam | Vietnam Railways | 1881 | Hanoi, Vietnam | Aviation & Transport (Railways) |
| Yemen | Yemenia Airways | 1962 | Yemen Airways, P.O. Box 1183, Sanaa - Republic Of Yemen | Aviation & Transport (Airline) |
Map Of The Oldest Companies in North America
Here’s the full list:
| Country | Business | Year Founded | Address | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antigua and Barbuda | No Data | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Bahamas | No Data | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Barbados | Mount Gay Rum | 1703 | No Data | Distillers, Vintners, & Breweries (Distillery) |
| Belize | Belize Bank | 1902 | 60 Market Square, Belize City, Belize | Banking & Finance |
| Canada | Hudson's Bay Company | 1670 | 8925 Torbram Rd, Brampton, Ontario, Canada | Retail |
| Costa Rica | Florida Ice and Farm Company | 1908 | Heredia, San Joaquín 2046-3000, Costa Rica | Distillers, Vintners, & Breweries (Brewery) |
| Cuba | Cubana de Aviación | 1929 | Calle 23 No. 64, La Rampa, Vedado, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba, 10400 | Aviation & Transport (Airline) |
| Dominica | The Chronicle (Dominica) | 1909 | Incorporated Wallhouse, Loubiere, P.O Box 1724, Roseau Commonwealth of Dominica. | Media (Newspaper) |
| El Salvador | HSBC El Salvador | 1891 | No Data | Banking & Finance |
| Grenada | No Data | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Guatemala | Corporación Multi Inversiones | 1920 | 5 Av 15-45 Zona 10, Edificio Centro Empresarial, Guatemala. | Food & Beverages |
| Haiti | Rhum Barbancourt | 1862 | Rte Nationale #1, entrée de Damien. Port au prince, Haiti | Distillers, Vintners, & Breweries (Distillery) |
| Honduras | National Railroad of Honduras | 1870 | No Data | Aviation & Transport |
| Jamaica | Rose Hall | 1770 | Rose Hall P.O. Box 1, St. James, Jamaica, W.I | Tourism & Hotels |
| Mexico | La Casa de Moneda de México | 1534 | Paseo de la Reforma 295, 5th Floor, Cuauhtemoc City hall, Mexico City, CP 06500 | Manufacturing & Production (Mint) |
| Nicaragua | Flor de Caña | 1890 | Flor de Caña, Managua, NI | Distillers, Vintners, & Breweries (Distillery) |
| Panama | National Bank of Panama | 1904 | Vía España, Calle 55, Panama | Banking & Finance |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | No Data | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Saint Lucia | 1st National Bank of St Lucia | 1938 | P.O. Box 168, Castries | Banking & Finance |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | No Data | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Trinidad and Tobago | House of Angostura | 1830 | Corner Eastern Main Road and Trinity Ave, Laventville, Trinidad & Tobago | Distillers, Vintners, & Breweries (Distillery) |
| United States of America | Shirley Plantation | 1638 | 501 Shirley Plantation Rd, Charles City, VA 23030 | Agriculture |
Map Of The Oldest Companies in South America
Here’s the full list by country:
| Country | Business | Year Founded | Address | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Bank of the Province of Buenos Aires | 1822 | San Martín 137, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina | Banking & Finance |
| Bolivia | Banco Nacional de Bolivia | 1871 | Sucre, Bolivia | Banking & Finance |
| Brazil | Casa da Moeda do Brasil | 1694 | Esplanada dos Ministerios Bloco k, Andar 6, Sala 674 Brasilia, DF 70040-906 Brazil | Manufacturing & Production (Mint) |
| Chile | Famae | 1811 | Avda. Ejército Libertador 353 Santiago, Chile | Defense |
| Colombia | Casa de Moneda de Colombia | 1621 | Cl. 11 #4-93, Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia | Manufacturing & Production (Mint) |
| Ecuador | No Data | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Guyana | Banks DIH | 1840 | Mandela Ave, Georgetown, Guyana | Food & Beverages |
| Paraguay | No Data | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Peru | Casa Nacional de Moneda | 1565 | Ayacucho, Villa Imperial de Potosí, Bolivia | Banking & Finance |
| Suriname | No Data | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Uruguay | Cafe Brasilero | 1877 | Ituzaingó 1447, 11000 Montevideo, Departamento de Montevideo, Uruguay | Service Industries |
| Venezuela | Hacienda Chuao | 1660 | Chuao, Venezuela | Food & Beverages |
Map Of The Oldest Companies in Africa
Here’s the full list by country:
| Country | Business | Year Founded | Address | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algeria | Hamoud Boualem | 1878 | 201 Rue Hassiba Ben Bouali, Belouizdad, Algeria | Food & Beverages |
| Angola | No data | No data | No data | No data |
| Benin | Communauté Électrique du Bénin | 1968 | No data | Energy (Electricity Supply) |
| Botswana | Botswana Meat Commission | 1965 | Lobatse, Botswana | Agriculture (Meat Production) |
| Burkina Faso | Air Burkina | 1967 | 29 Av. De la Nation, Air Burkina Building, Secretariat General Management 01 BP 1459 Ouagadougou 01 | Aviation & Transport (Airline) |
| Burundi | Brarudi | 1955 | Boulevard du 1er Novembre, Bujumbura. | Distillers, Vintners, & Breweries (Brewery) |
| Cameroon | Cameroon Development Corporation | 1947 | No data | Agricultural (Agricultural Development) |
| Cape Verde | Correios de Cabo Verde | 1849 | Rua Cesário Lacerda 2, Praia 7600, Cape Verde | Postal Service |
| Central Africa Republic | Banque Internationale pour la Centrafrique | 1946 | BP 910, Bangui, Central African Republic | Banking & Finance |
| Chad | Cotontchad | 1971 | 1116 N'Djamena, N'Djamens, Chad | Agricultural (Agricultural Development) |
| Comoros | Central Bank of the Comoros | 1981 | Place de France, BP 405 Moroni, Comoros | Banking & Finance |
| Congo (Democratic Republic of the: Kinshasa) | Société nationale des Chemins de fer du Congo | 1889 | Place De La Gare, 115 Lubumbashi, Congo Democratic Rep | Aviation & Transport (Railways) |
| Congo (Republic of the: Brazzaville) | Development Bank of the Central African States | 1975 | Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo | Banking & Finance |
| Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) | La Poste | 1945 | 9 Rue Colonel Pierre Avia Paris, 75015 France | Postal Service |
| Djibouti | Ethio-Djibouti Railways | 1901 | No data | Aviation & Transport (Railways) |
| Egypt | Egyptian National Railways | 1854 | Egyptian National Railways, Ramsis Square, Cairo, Egypt | Aviation & Transport (Railways) |
| Equatorial Guinea | Guinea Ecuatorial Airlines | 1996 | Malabo International Airport, Equatorial Guinea | Aviation & Transport (Airline) |
| Eritrea | Asmara Brewery | 1939 | Asmara, Eritrea | Distillers, Vintners, & Breweries (Brewery) |
| Ethiopia | National Bank of Ethiopia | 1906 | National Bank of Ethiopia Sudan Avenue, P.O.Box 5550 | Banking & Finance |
| Gabon | BGFIBank Group | 1971 | Libreville, Gabon | Banking & Finance |
| Ghana | No data | No data | No data | No data |
| Guinea | Halco Mining | 1962 | No data | Mining (Aluminium) |
| Guinea-Bissau | Correios da Guiné-Bissau | 1973 | No data | Postal Service |
| Kenya | KCB Group Limited | 1896 | No data | Banking & Finance |
| Lesotho | Central Bank of Lesotho | 1978 | Corner Airport and Moshoeshoe Roads, Maseru Central, P O Box 1184, Maseru 100, Kingdom of Lesotho | Banking & Finance |
| Liberia | National Port Authority | 1921 | Freeport of Monrovia, Bushrod Island P.O. Box 1849 Monrovia, Liberia | Aviation & Transport (Ports / Shipping) |
| Libya | Umma Bank | 1907 | PO Box 685, 1 Giaddat Omar El-Mokhtar Street, Tripoli, Libya | Banking & Finance |
| Madagascar | Air Madagascar | 1962 | Group - AIR MADAGASCAR Building City 3000, Ivandry, Ground Floor - Box 029 Antananarivo 101 MADAGASCAR | Aviation & Transport (Airline) |
| Malawi | Malawi Broadcasting Corporation | 1964 | Administrator, Blantyre Malawi | Media (Broadcasting) |
| Mali | Office de Radiodiffusion-Télévision du Mali | 1957 | Bamako, Mali | Media (Broadcasting) |
| Mauritania | Central Bank of Mauritania | 1973 | Nouadhibou, Mauritania | Banking & Finance |
| Mauritius | Mauritius Post | 1772 | 1 Sir William Newton St. Port Louis 11328 | Postal Service |
| Morocco | Attijariwafa Bank | 1904 | No data | Banking & Finance |
| Mozambique | Beira Railroad Corporation | 1892 | Beira, Mozambique | Aviation and Transport (Railways) |
| Namibia | NamPost | 1814 | 175 Independence Avenue, Windhoek, Namibia. | Postal Service |
| Niger | Office of Radio and Television of Niger | 1960 | ORTN Niamey BP309 - NIGER | Media (Broadcasting) |
| Nigeria | First Bank of Nigeria | 1894 | No data | Banking & Finance |
| Rwanda | National Post Office | 1922 | KN 4 St, Kigali, Rwanda | Postal Service |
| Sao Tome and Principe | Central Bank of São Tomé and Príncipe | 1975 | Praça da Independência, R. Mártires da Liberdade, São Tomé, São Tomé & Príncipe | Banking & Finance |
| Senegal | Dakar–Niger Railway | 1924 | No data | Aviation & Transport (Railways) |
| Seychelles | Air Seychelles | 1977 | Head Office Building, Seychelles International Airport, Pointe Larue Mahe, Seychelles | Aviation & Transport (Airline) |
| Sierra Leone | Rokel Commercial Bank | 1917 | Head office: 25/27 Siaka Stevens Street, Freetown, Sierra Leone | Banking & Finance |
| Somalia | Radio Mogadishu | 1943 | Mogadishu, Somalia | Media (Broadcasting) |
| South Africa | Premier FMCG | 1820 | Building 5,Maxwell office pak, Magwa Crescent West, Waterfall City, 2090 | Manufacturing & Production (Food Manufacturing) |
| South Sudan | Ivory Bank | 1994 | No data | Banking & Finance |
| Sudan | Bank of Khartoum | 1913 | P.O Box 1008 Khartoum- Sudan | Banking & Finance |
| Swaziland (Eswatini) | Swazi Rail | 1963 | No data | Aviation & Transport (Railways) |
| Tanzania | Tanzania Breweries Limited | 1933 | Uhuru Street, Ilala, Dar es Salaam. | Distillers, Vintners, & Breweries (Brewery) |
| The Gambia | No data | No data | No data | No data |
| Togo | La Poste du Togo | 1883 | No data | Postal Service |
| Tunisia | La Poste Tunisienne | 1847 | No data | Postal Service |
| Uganda | Stanbic Bank Uganda Limited | 1906 | Crested Towers, Plot 17, Hannington Road, Kampala, Uganda | Banking & Finance |
| Zambia | ZamPost | 1896 | Plot 51-50-5151 Zambia Road, Industrial Area, Ndola, Zambia | Postal Service |
| Zimbabwe | Standard Chartered Zimbabwe | 1892 | 1st Floor, AUSQ Building, 68 Nelson Mandela Ave, Harare, Zimbabwe | Banking & Finance |
Map Of The Oldest Companies in Oceania
Here’s the full list by country:
| Country | Business | Year Founded | Address | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Australia Post | 1809 | 111 Bourke Street, Melbourne, Australia | Postal Service |
| Micronesia, Federated States of | No Data | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Fiji | No Data | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Kiribati | No Data | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Marshall Islands | No Data | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Nauru | No Data | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| New Zealand | Bank of New Zealand | 1861 | Private Bag 39806, Wellington Mail centre, Lower Hutt 5045, New Zealand | Banking & Finance |
| Palau | No Data | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Papua New Guinea | No Data | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Samoa | No Data | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Solomon Islands | No Data | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Tonga | No Data | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Tuvalu | No Data | No Data | No Data | No Data |
| Vanuatu | European Trust Company | 1991 | First Floor, International building, Lini Highway, Port Vila Vanuatu | Banking & Finance |
Wondering how they came up with the data?
To create these maps, we started by reviewing various sources on the internet to locate the oldest company in each country. Once we had a list of business for each country we began researching each individual company to discover if they are still operational. If we were unsure about a company or could not discern if it was still open, we did not include it in the maps. We included both independent and state-run businesses in this list. This includes national mints, which produced coins for merchants and international customers as well as the state.
Those countries where it wasn’t possible to identify the oldest business have been greyed-out on the map. Additionally, some countries have changed names or didn‘t exist at the time the oldest company opened. In all cases we have used the current country names.
We created broad industry categorisations that grouped similar businesses together. Every step has been taken to ensure that the information contained within our research is as accurate as possible. However, it is possible that there are businesses still operating that predate the ones listed here.
Also see: Map Of The 10 Oldest Companies In The UK
Number of active businesses founded before 1700 in every country around the world:
See a mistake? Let us know below:
Dan Wells says
There is at least one glaring error in this list – the oldest corporation in the United States is incorrect, and at least one of the older contenders is relatively well known (Harvard University, founded 1636). Shirley Plantation was first settled by Europeans in 1613, but apparently did not become a business until 1638 (the date you have listed). If you list Shirley Plantation by its settlement date, is there any reason why the much earlier settlement date of a continuous Indigenous settlement that now operates a business should not predate it?
You have numerous non-profit entities, largely national postal services and mints, on the list, so Harvard’s non-profit status should not disqualify it. There are a few entities even older than Harvard (by a year or so) around the Boston area that might qualify as “corporate”, having received corporate charters from the General Court.
All currently operating entities older than Harvard that I am aware of are also non-profit, either schools or churches (Boston Latin School, 1635, First Parish of Cambridge and First Church of Cambridge (split from one original church founded in 1636, but a few months before Harvard). It wouldn’t surprise me if some form of trading company around Boston was equally ancient. There may be something in Virginia or Florida that is as old or older as well.
Given how well-known at least one of the entities older than Shirley Plantation is, this is a glaring error.
John Browning says
In Wales, the Festiniog Railway Company is a corporation established by an Act of the Bristish Parliament on 23 May 1832. It is the oldest railway company in continuous existence in the world. The establishing Act can be read in full here: https://www.festipedia.org.uk/wiki/Act_of_Parliament_FR_1832
There are plenty of old hostelries around in Wales and elsewhere but they don’t qualify as companies.
Ian says
It’s only a small country, but what you have for Vanuatu is clearly nonsense. An independent since 1980, but you list a trust company from 1991.
Immediately the supermarket chain Au Bon Marché comes to mind. That was founded in 1975 but is by no means the oldest company there.
Edwin Hofstra says
Although Affligem, Belgium, was indeed founded in the 11th C. by three retiring knights, it is a monastery, not a company.
Gábor Megyaszai says
For Hungary even BÀV is incorrect. Alföldi Nyomda, a printing company has been founded in 1561 and is in operation still today.
Y.D. Robinson says
Update, as of March-June 2025: The Hudson’s Bay Company has shut its doors, thereby putting that off the list as Canada’s oldest company still in business. That honour now goes to (I think) Molson Brewery, headquartered in my own Montreal; Molson was founded in 1786.