How to Register a Company in Botswana

Registering a company in Botswana is handled by the Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA) through its Online Business Registration System (OBRS). However, company registration is only one part of establishing a business. Several government bodies may be involved depending on what the business does. Local councils handle trade licences, while the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) handles tax registration. Businesses may also need an industrial licence or other sector-specific approvals before they can begin operating.

This guide explains how to register a company in Botswana, the documents you need, current CIPA fees, requirements for foreigners and what to do after incorporation.

Types of companies you can register in Botswana

Before registering a company, you need to choose the structure that suits your business.

Botswana recognises several company structures, including:

• Private company
• Public company
• Close company
• Company limited by guarantee
• External company

A private company is generally the most suitable structure for an ordinary commercial business. It is a separate legal entity from its shareholders and can be used by businesses of different sizes.

A public company is subject to additional requirements and is generally more appropriate for companies with a wider ownership structure.

A close company is another form of business entity with its own legal and administrative requirements.

A company limited by guarantee is generally used by organisations where members’ liability is limited to the amount they have undertaken to contribute.

An external company is a foreign company registering a presence in Botswana rather than incorporating a separate Botswana company.

The structure you choose affects the registration requirements and ongoing compliance obligations.

Requirements for registering a company in Botswana

For a typical private company, you should be prepared to provide information about the proposed company, its directors, shareholders, registered office, company secretary and beneficial owners. You will also need identification documents for the relevant individuals. The exact requirements vary depending on the type of company being registered.

How to register a company in Botswana

1. Create an account on CIPA’s OBRS

Company registration is done through CIPA’s Online Business Registration System (OBRS).

You first need to create a user profile. CIPA requires an active email address and mobile number for an OBRS profile, after which you receive login credentials to access the system.

The system can be accessed through the CIPA website. An OBRS account allows you to submit company registration applications online and access the system for subsequent company filings, where applicable.

2. Search and reserve your company name

The next step is to choose a name for the company and check its availability on the CIPA register. It is advisable to have alternative names available in case your preferred name is already registered or is not approved.

The current CIPA fee schedule lists the online fee for reserving a company name at P20.

Note: Name reservation is separate from the company registration fee.

3. Prepare the company information and documents

Once the name has been reserved, you can prepare the information required for incorporation.

For a typical company, this includes:

• Proposed company name
• Registered office address
• Business activities
• Details of directors
• Details of shareholders
• Shareholding information
• Company secretary details, where applicable
• Beneficial ownership information
• Identification documents or passports

Non-citizens generally provide passport information as their identification document.

4. Submit the company-registration application

The incorporation application is submitted through OBRS. For a private or public company, the current CIPA fee schedule lists an online registration fee of P360. A close company also has an online registration fee of P360. The application must contain the required company, ownership and identification information.

Once CIPA has processed and approved the application, the company is incorporated, and the relevant company documents are issued. The time required can depend on whether the application is complete and whether CIPA requests corrections or additional information.

5. File the company constitution

Under recent amendments to the Companies Act, every company, new or already registered, must file its own constitution with CIPA. CIPA has posted constitution templates for each entity type on its website.

• Filing fee: P500
• Deadline: companies had until 20 March 2026 under the original deadline; CIPA has since granted a six-month extension to 30 September 2026
• Applies to new registrations and to companies that were incorporated before the requirement took effect

6. Declare the company’s beneficial owners

Companies must also declare their beneficial owners, meaning the natural persons who ultimately own or control the company, even where a trust or another company sits between them and the business. This is required under the Financial Intelligence Act and is filed with CIPA alongside the constitution. Any change to beneficial ownership details must be reported within 10 working days.

7. Appoint the required directors

At least one director must be ordinarily resident in Botswana. This can be a Botswana citizen or a foreign national holding a valid residence permit. There is no requirement for shareholders to be citizens or residents, and a foreign investor can hold 100% of the shares.

Foreign nationals who want to serve as directors and take an active role in the company generally need a Director Permit from Botswana’s immigration authorities, separate from a standard work permit. Without a resident director or a residence permit of their own, a foreign founder needs to appoint or partner with a Botswana citizen or resident director.

8. Appoint a company secretary

Every company except a close company must appoint a company secretary within three months of incorporation. Close companies appoint an accounting officer instead.

The company secretary must:

• Hold a practising licence as a legal practitioner, accountant, or member of the Southern African Institute of Chartered Secretaries
• Be resident in Botswana

A sole director cannot also serve as the company secretary.

What to do after registering your company

Incorporation creates the company, but it does not necessarily mean that the company can immediately start trading. The requirements that follow depend largely on the company’s activities.

Obtain a trade licence or business registration certificate

Businesses selling goods or services need a trade licence from the Commercial Affairs Office of their local Town or District Council, under the Trade Act. Required documents typically include:

• Certificate of incorporation
• Proof of the business premises, such as a title deed or lease agreement
• Certified copies of ID (Omang) or passport, work, and residence permits for directors and shareholders
• A physical planner’s report confirming the premises is zoned for the intended activity
• An environmental health report from the council’s health inspectors

Trade licence fees vary by council and business type, from around P500 to P1,000 for a small general dealer, up to P5,000 or more for larger operations such as hotels or bars. Licences run for one year and must be renewed before the anniversary of issue.

Check whether your business activity is reserved

This is particularly important for foreign investors. Botswana reserves certain business activities for citizens or companies wholly owned by Botswana citizens.

The government’s current list includes activities such as auctioneering, car washes, cleaning services, curio shops, florists, fresh-produce businesses, funeral parlours, general dealerships, laundromats, takeaways, hair and beauty parlours, internet cafés and imported pre-owned motor dealerships.

The list can change, so anyone planning to establish a foreign-owned business should check the current position for the specific activity before investing in premises or equipment. Registering a company in Botswana does not automatically give a foreign-owned company the right to operate in every business sector.

Obtain an industrial licence if you will manufacture

Manufacturing and industrial businesses need an industrial licence rather than, or in addition to, a trade licence.

• Businesses with turnover above P5 million apply through the Department of Industrial Affairs
• Businesses with turnover below P5 million apply through their local council’s Commercial Office

Obtain sector-specific licences

Some businesses require approval from other government departments or regulators.

This can apply to sectors such as:

• Tourism
• Healthcare
• Financial services
• Education
• Transport
• Liquor
• Telecommunications
• Other regulated activities

For example, tourism businesses require the appropriate Tourist Enterprise Licence depending on the nature of the operation.

The company should therefore identify all licences applicable to its specific business activity before commencing operations.

Open a business bank account

After incorporation, the company can open a bank account in its own name.

Banks generally request company-registration documents and identification information for directors, shareholders and authorised signatories. They may also ask for information about the company’s ownership, business activities, address and source of funds. Requirements vary between banks, so it is advisable to confirm the current requirements with the bank you intend to use.

A separate corporate account also helps keep company transactions separate from the personal finances of the shareholders.

Register for tax with BURS

Apply for a Tax Identification Number (TIN) from the Botswana Unified Revenue Service. Registration is free if done directly; using an agent typically costs around P1,500.

• Corporate income tax is 22% for resident companies, 30% for non-resident branches, and as low as 15% for manufacturing and financial services companies that qualify
• VAT registration becomes mandatory once annual taxable turnover exceeds P1 million; voluntary registration is available below that threshold
• The standard VAT rate is 14%
• BURS will not complete tax registration or issue a Tax Clearance Certificate for a company where a foreign director lacks a valid residence or work permit

Register employees for workplace injury insurance

Under the Workers’ Compensation Act, employers must cover their employees against workplace injury, either through the Commissioner of Workers’ Compensation or through a private insurer.

Can a foreigner register a company in Botswana?

Yes, foreigners can establish companies in Botswana, but there are additional requirements to consider.

Check out:

How much does it cost to register a company in Botswana?

The basic cost depends on the type of company and whether you use CIPA’s online system or submit the application at a CIPA office.

CIPA service	Online fee
Company name reservation	P20
Private or public company registration	P360
Close company registration	P360
Company limited by guarantee	P4,600
External company registration	P4,600

 

The above are CIPA registration fees. They do not include the cost of a trade licence, industrial licence, professional services, premises, bank charges, tax-agent services or other costs associated with establishing a business.

The company constitution has a separate P500 filing fee.

How long does company registration take?

The time required to register a company depends on the completeness of the application and whether CIPA requires corrections or additional information.

A straightforward application submitted through OBRS can be processed relatively quickly, but applicants should distinguish the company-registration timeline from the time required to obtain a trade licence or other operating approvals.

Trade licensing may take longer because the application can involve zoning checks, premises inspections and other clearances.

Foreign investors may also have separate immigration processing times.

Documents to prepare before registering

Having the necessary information ready can make the registration process easier.

For a typical company, prepare:

• Proposed company name
• Details of directors
• Details of shareholders
• Shareholding information
• Beneficial ownership information
• National IDs or passports
• Registered office details
• Proposed business activities
• Company secretary details, where applicable
• Company constitution
• Contact details for the company and its officers

Additional documents will be required when applying for trade, industrial or sector-specific licences.

CIPA contact details

Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA)

Location: Plot 54358, Block A, Prime Plaza, CBD, Gaborone, Botswana

Phone: +267 367 3700

Call Centre: +267 367 3797 / 3758 / 3748 / 3783

WhatsApp: +267 73 263 804

Email: info@cipa.co.bw

Website: www.cipa.co.bw

CIPA handles company name reservations, incorporation, company records and annual returns.

BURS contact details

Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS)

Location: Plot 53976, Kudumatse Drive, Gaborone, Botswana

Postal: Private Bag 0013, Gaborone, Botswana

Phone: +267 363 8000 / 363 9000

Call Centre: 17649

Email: contactcentre@burs.org.bw

Website: www.burs.org.bw

BURS handles taxpayer registration, income tax, VAT and other tax matters.