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Company Registration

Why Register Business in Botswana?

Registering a Business in Botswana gives legal protection, better access to money and markets, and allows you to benefit from tax incentives and government support programs. Operating unregistered is illegal and can lead to fines, business closure, and lost opportunities like tenders and formal contracts.

A registered business is a legally recognized entity, which protects the owner by separating personal assets from many business liabilities (especially with companies, not sole props).
Unregistered businesses are considered illegal in Botswana and can attract penalties, fines, and even forced closure by authorities.

Access to tenders, markets and partners

Only registered entities can realistically bid for government and corporate tenders, which are a major source of revenue in Botswana’s formal economy.
Registration increases credibility, making suppliers, big clients and investors more willing to sign contracts or give you favourable terms.

Finance, investors and growth

Banks and development financiers like CEDA strongly prefer or require formal registration before giving loans or grants.
Formalised businesses can build financial statements and tax records, which investors and lenders use to assess and fund growth.

Tax and incentives

Registered companies are brought into the tax net, which is a legal obligation but also gives access to Botswana’s relatively competitive corporate tax regime (standard 22%, and 15% for qualifying manufacturing/IFSC/innovation activities).
Certain sectors benefit from tax incentives and possible tax holidays, which you cannot access if you remain informal.

Brand, name and long‑term security

Registration protects your business name so that others cannot legally use it, helping secure your brand as you grow.
Being in the formal system connects you more easily to support programs, training, and digital services (online tax, social security, etc.), which improves long‑term stability.

Services Offered

Our Consulting and Services

Register and formalise your company quickly and correctly. Get end‑to‑end support with name reservation, CIPA registration, tax setup and all key compliance documents, so you can focus on growing your business.

Business Name Approval

Business Registration

Trademark Registration

Bank Account Opening

VAT Registration

Trade License

Company Secretary

Tax Processes & Workflows Consultation

Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Consultation

Our Process

Company Registration Process

Business name and company registration with CIPA

Choose Company Type

Understanding your business and goals

Reserve Company Name

Implementing the plan with precision and focus

Submit Required Documents

Competitive analysis, identifying opportunities, and key insights

Pay Registration Fees

Crafting a tailored strategy for success

Get a Certificate of Incorporation

Understanding your business and goals

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Starting a business in Botswana

The Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA) is the first port of call for anyone who wants to start a business in Botswana. CIPA facilitates the registration of Business names and Companies for individuals, groups or corporations in accordance with the Companies Act and the Registration of Business Names Act.

Registration of a company or a business name is important in that it gives exclusive rights to the use of the name and it also gives it recognition as a legal entity. Registered companies and business names are an important aspect of the economy because people can use them to trade and also seek tenders for jobs , provision of supplies, services etc both from government and the private sector.

To give identity to your business one needs to register a company or a business name with CIPA. A business name is a trading style, a name, title, or a description under which a business is carried while a company is a legal entity which arises when one or more persons form a corporate body which acquires a personality separate from that of its members with legal powers to sue, or be sued, own property and make contracts. A company can have various business names registered under it, which means that a company can own a business name.

Who can register?

Individuals above the age of 18 as well as corporate bodies can register companies and business names. The registration process can be done by a shareholder, a director, a company secretary or authorized professional consultant.

Selecting and reserving an entity name

When you go into business, you need to choose a structure for your business that suits the way you do business and the type of business activity that you do.

Choosing a structure for your business

There are two structures for businesses in Botswana — business names and companies.

When selecting the right structure for your business, please consider the following:

The size of your business and operations.
Your share of profits
Your degree of ownership and accountability
Your legal liability
Funding options

If you are unsure which structure to choose, seek professional advice from an accountant, lawyer or company secretary before you make a decision.

Types of companies

When you set up a company, you are creating a separate legal body to carry on business. A company can do many of the same things as an actual person — hold property in its own name, enter contracts, sue and be sued.

All companies incorporated in Botswana have the same basic elements:

a company name
at least 1 shareholder and 1 director
contact addresses.

There are several different types of companies. You need to choose one that suits your business model.

Private Company

A private company is formed with the intention of making a profit, and has a maximum of twenty-five (25) shareholders. This type of company does not make any offer to the public to subscribe to its shares or debentures. The name of a private company ends with (Proprietary) Limited, e.g. Carbo (Proprietary) Limited.

Public Company

A public company has an unlimited number of shareholders (any number) and is usually listed with the Botswana Stock Exchange. The shares of a public company are made available to the public for sale. A public company is identified with a designation of ‘Limited’ at the end of the name, e.g. ROC Limited.

A Close Company

A close company is formed by one or more individuals, not exceeding five, who qualify for membership. No corporate body or trustee shall directly or indirectly hold a member’s interest in a close company. Every person who is to become a member upon registration shall make to the company an initial contribution of money, property, or services rendered in connection with the purposes of the formation and incorporation of the company. It may not be established for or carry on business of banking, or insurance but may otherwise be formed to carry out any lawful business. The designation ‘CC’ must be added to the name. e.g. CIPA CC. Unlike other company types, a Close Company is not expected to meet international financial reporting standards, but it has to keep books of accounts.

A Company Limited by Guarantee

This type of Company is an entity that does not declare dividends or share profits amongst members. When applying for a company limited by guarantee, it is necessary to describe as clearly as possible what the Company is being formed to do, who the donors are, as well as any projects that are already in place. Please note that the proceeds of the company shall be issued to promote the objects of the company and only support the objectives of the company.

Business Names

A Business name gives an identity to your business or business line. This is the trading style; the title to your business; a description under which you carry on business; your tag name for the business you operate. Please note that a Business name is not an entity under law and it is you, its proprietor, who is carrying on business. A proprietor can be an individual or a company and you assume all the responsibility and liabilities related to the business.

Selecting a company name

Before you set up a company, you can reserve its name on the OBRS. This is an optional procedure as you can proceed to register a company or businessname without reserving its name first. There are strict guidelines on how tochoose and reserve a company name. Once you have reserved a company name and itis approved by CIPA, no other company can incorporate with an identical oralmost identical name. The reserved name shall be valid for a period of 30 working days, withinwhich you are required to register it. Failure to register the name within 30 days shall render the proposed name invalid and a new application shall bemade.

Rules for selecting a Name for your Company

The Registrar is mandated to examine names and the following conditions may lead to the application being unsuccessful:

A name that is identical or almost identical to, the name of a registered company; registered external company; statutory corporation; a name registered under the Registration of Business Names Act.
A name that is identical or almost identical to a name reserved under the Companies Act (CAP 42:01); Business Names Act; and that is still available for registration.
Names which are calculated to mislead the public or cause offence to a person or any class of persons or is suggestive of blasphemy or indecency.
Names that suggest the company would be carrying on business of real estate, whose names may include “real estates”; & “estate agents”. The use of such names would only be through prior consent from the Real Estate Advisory Council (REAC).
Use of a name which would contravene the Banking Act (CAP 46:01). The use of words restricted under section 3(2) of the Banking Act including “bank”; “finance”; “loan”; “credit”; “savings” or any of their derivatives. Therefore, these words and their derivatives would only be utilized through prior consent from the Central Bank (Bank of Botswana).
Except with the Minister’s written consent, no company, including an external company, shall be registered under a name which includes – The word “Authority”, “Commonwealth”, “Co-operative”, “Government”, “National”, “President”, “Presidential”, “Region”, “State”; combined words “United Nations”; or any other word which suggests, is likely to suggest, that it enjoys the patronage of the Government or of a statutory corporation, or of the Government of any other State or of a department of any such Government or of the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN).
A name or word registered under the Industrial Property Act (CAP 68:01) or copyrighted works.
Use of famous names and places; historic names; and names that are in the public domain; without prior consent from the rightful owners.
Names of existing organizations in and outside Botswana, without consent from the owners.
Use of names of famous people, without consent from the owners.
Use of an individual’s full name {first name(s) plus family name} as name of a company or business without the addition of another word or suffix to differentiate from the name of the individual(s).
Names which are suggestive of an organization being formed to be a “Trust”, “Foundation”, “Club”, “Religious Organization” & a“Society”. These organizations can be registered through other Government Departments and Agencies.

Company Secretaries

Every company is required to appoint a Company Secretary within three months of incorporation except for Close Companies which are required to appoint Accounting Officers. A Company Secretary has the responsibility of ensuring that the company fully complies with the provisions of the Companies Act. The secretary is obliged to submit changes of name, alterations of the constitution, ensure submission of notices, ensure compliance to annual returns; complete transfers of shares, issue share certificate and keep the share register. Other duties of a company secretary are to:

Be responsible to the Board of the company for preparation of all post incorporation notices including annual returns and changes.
Be responsible to the Board of the company for issuing all notices of meetings and respond to all enquiries in relation to notices of meetings.
Maintain a register of shareholders, directors and secretaries.
Ensure together with the directors, that the company keeps accounting records.
Maintain an adequate system of record keeping.

A company secretary operating in Botswana must demonstrate through a practicing license to 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 Secretaries