Botswana (BW)

Company Registration Process

1. Choose your business structure

Decide whether you want to register as a sole proprietorship, partnership, private limited company (Pty Ltd), or another type of entity.

2. Register with CIPA (Companies and Intellectual Property Authority)

  1. Reservation of a Company Name
    • The client proposes up to three unique business names.
    • We submit the names via the CIPA OBRS portal on your behalf and make the P20.00 payment.
    • Name reservation is valid for 30 days.
  2. Creation of an OBRS Account
    • The client provides Omang/passport and contact details.
    • We register on the Online Business Registration System (OBRS) on the client’s behalf.
  3. Preparation of Required Documents

    We will help the client prepare:

    • Declaration of Compliance signed before a Commissioner of Oaths.
    • Consent to Act forms for directors, shareholders, auditors (if any), and secretary.
    • Memorandum and Articles of Association (company constitution).
    • Proof of registered business address in Botswana.
    • Certified copies of Omang or passport for all directors, shareholders, and/or company secretary.
  4. Submit Application Online
    • We upload all documents via OBRS and pay the registration fee of BWP 360.00.
  5. Receive Certificate of Incorporation
    • Once approved, CIPA issues your official certificate.

3. Register with BURS(Botswana Unified Revenue Service)

Register for tax ID with BURS. Businesses can register for several types of taxes depending on their activities and income levels. Please contact us to find out where/if your business is required to register.

Required Documents:
  • Certified copy of your Certificate of Incorporation (Form 4).
  • List of Directors and Secretaries (Form 2A).
  • Consent and Certificate of Directors (Form 2B).
  • Details of Share Capital (Form 2C).
  • Memorandum & Articles of Association.
  • Certified Omang/passport copies for all directors and the company secretary.

4. Apply for Business Licenses

Registration Timelines

Estimated Timeframe for Company Registration in Botswana
Step Process Estimated Time
1 Name Reservation (CIPA OBRS) Same day (if name is available)
2 Company Registration (CIPA OBRS) Within 24 hours (if documents are complete)
3 Tax Registration (BURS) 2-5 working days (depending on office workload and completeness of documents)
4 VAT Registration (if applicable) Additional 3-5 working days
5 PAYE & Withholding Tax Registration Usually processed with TIN or shortly after

Costs of starting a company

  1. CIPA (Companies and Intellectual Property Authority)
    2. Service Online Fee (BWP) CIPA Fee (BWP)
    Name Reservation 20 60
    Register a Private Company (Pty Ltd) 360 900
    Register a Business Name 150 450

    You can find the full fee schedule on CIPA’s official fee document.

  2. BURS
    • Tax Identification Number (TIN) registration is free of charge.
    • VAT registration, PAYE, and Withholding Tax registrations are also free, but only required based on your business activities and turnover.
  3. Trading License (via Local Authority)
    • Fees vary depending on:
      • Type of business (e.g., retail, manufacturing, hospitality)
      • Location (urban vs. rural councils)
    • Expect to pay anywhere from BWP 200 to BWP 5,000+ annually.

Other Potential Business Setup Costs

    1. Professional Services
    1. Legal or consulting fees for drafting your Memorandum & Articles of Association or business advisory: BWP 1,000-5,000+
    2. Company secretary or accountant (if outsourced): Monthly retainers from BWP 500-2,000+
    2. Banking Costs
    1. Initial deposit to open a business account: Varies by bank (often BWP 1,000+)
    2. Monthly account maintenance fees: BWP 50-200
    3. Compliance & Renewals
    1. Annual return filing with CIPA: BWP 100-500 depending on company type
    2. Trading license renewal: Annual fee based on business category

Core Regulatory Bodies

Regulatory Bodies

Process of Appointing a company secretary

  1. Choose a Qualified Individual or Firm
    2. * The secretary must hold a valid practicing license and be one of the following:
    • A legal practitioner
    • A member of the Botswana Institute of Accountants
    • A member of the Southern African Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators
    • A member of the Association of Business Consultants of Botswana
    • A member of the Botswana Association of Company Secretaries2
  2. Obtain Consent to Act
    • The selected secretary must sign a Consent to Act form, confirming their acceptance of the role.
  3. Update Company Records
    • Include the secretary’s details in your company’s statutory registers (e.g. Register of Secretaries).
  4. Notify CIPA
    • Submit the appointment through the CIPA OBRS portal using the appropriate form (usually Form 2A or 2B depending on the change).
    • If this is part of your initial registration, the secretary’s details must be included in your incorporation documents.
  5. Maintain Ongoing Compliance
    • The company secretary is responsible for filings like annual returns, changes in shareholding, and board resolutions. They must remain licensed and compliant to continue serving.