COMPANY REGISTRATION IN ZIMBABWE

A Private Limited Company or PLC, the most common type of company structure in Zimbabwe for any of business that wishes to make a profit for its owners (shareholders). It is a separate legal entity from its owners, which means that the shareholders are not personally liable for the debts of the company. It is more appealing to clients, investors and lenders and is a good option for businesses that are looking for a more professional and credible business structure. A PLC is suitable for any type of business operations.

PLC Packages >>

An alternative to the PLC, a Private Business Corporation (PBC) is a type of business structure that is similar to a partnership, but with has the added benefit of limited liability for the members. This means that the members personal assets are protected in the event that the Private Business Corporation goes bankrupt. Profits are shared between the PBC members and all members are responsible for the day to day running of the company. Often used by small businesses and professionals, such as lawyers, architects and accountants.

PBC Packages >>

Also known as an aged company, a shelf company is an already registered Private Limited Company (PLC) that has not yet traded and engaged in any commercial activity that is readily available for purchase. A very good option for businesses or entrepreneurs that need to start-up quickly and easily as they can be purchased “off the shelf” and do not require the time and effort of setting up a neww company from scratch. Suitable for all business sizes including start-ups, small to medium enterprises and large businesses.

Shelf Companies >>>

The Private Limited Company (Pvt) Ltd is the most common company type in Zimbabwe, accounting for over 95% of all registered companies. This cements its status as the default and most preferred company structure for entrepreneurs looking to register a business in Zimbabwe.

The primary advantage of a private limited company is that it is a separate legal entity from its owners. This separation grants shareholders limited liability, shields personal assets from business debts, and offers potential tax efficiencies. Furthermore, it enhances the business’s credibility and allows the company itself to own assets and enter into legal contracts.

Requirements for Company Registration in Zimbabwe

1. Proposed company names – Three to five unique names, listed in order of preference.

2. Directors’ information – Full names, National ID or Passport numbers, addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers, and email addresses.

3. Official company addresses – Physical, postal, and email addresses (all of which must be Zimbabwean).

4. Official business activity – A description of the intended business activity (e.g., transport and logistics, mining, construction, etc.).

5. Shareholders’ information – Full names, addresses, dates of birth, shareholding percentage or number of shares, and email address for each shareholder.

6. Company secretary information – (Optional) Full names, National ID or Passport numbers, addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers, and email addresses.

*Find out more about the requirements for company registration.

The documents you receive will depend on the company structure and package you choose. For a Private Limited Company, you will typically receive:

• Certificate of Incorporation

• CR 5 – List of company addresses

• CR 6 – List of company directors and secretaries

• Memorandum and Articles of Association

For a Private Business Corporation, you will receive the following:

• Certificate of Incorporation

• CR 28 Form, i.e., the Statement of Incorporation

Additionally, depending on your chosen package, you may also receive a bank advice note, tax clearance certificate, share certificates, first meeting minutes, and company registers.

The registration process in Zimbabwe takes approximately 5 to 7 working days. We begin by conducting an online name search to check the availability of your proposed names, with results typically available within 24 working hours. We then prepare and forward your company documents to the Companies Registry, where final registration takes 5 to 7 working days, depending on their current workload.

Company registration prices in Zimbabwe range from US$100.00 to US$170.00 for a Private Business Corporation and from US$150.00 to US$260.00 for a Private Limited Company.

We offer four packages for each company type—Private Limited Company and Private Business Corporation—along with four Non-Resident Packages and a selection of Shelf Companies.

Prices are quoted in US
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.ZW pricing is available upon request. All our prices include the Companies and Intellectual Property Office of Zimbabwe (CIPZ) stamp duty and our professional fees.

Certainly. We will assist you in opening a business bank account by helping you obtain a TIN (Tax Identification Number)—which is required to open the account—select a suitable bank, compile all the necessary documentation and complete the application forms..

Yes. We are a licensed company registration agent, fully accredited by the Companies and Intellectual Property Office of Zimbabwe (CIPZ).

Dealing with a licensed agent guarantees compliance with national regulations, ensuring your filings are processed accurately and efficiently. Our official status allows us to liaise directly with the CIPZ, streamlining the entire registration process. We offer expert guidance on company types, safeguard your sensitive information, and assume legal responsibility for due diligence checks. This professional mandate saves you significant time, reduces bureaucratic complexity, and provides peace of mind that your company’s foundation is secure, compliant, and in trusted hands.

Company registration is the process of incorporating a business with the Companies and Intellectual Property Office of Zimbabwe (CIPZ). Upon incorporation, the company becomes a separate legal entity, distinct from its owners.

We accept payment via cash at our offices, Bank Transfer, EcoCash and any other remittence service like InnBucks, Access Forex, City Hopper and imternational remittences like Mukuru, World Remit, Western Union, Ria, Remitly etc.

Yes. Company Formations offers online company registration in Zimbabwe that’s how we are able to register companies for clients from every city in Zimbabwe and non-Zimbabwean resident clients. Just fill in your company registration online form and we will contact you as soon as we receive the application. However, you can also visit our offices to start your company registration.

Company Formations offers two address services. The Registered Office Address (physical and postal address) and Service Address which are all legal requirements for registering a company in Zimbabwe. The Companies Registry require official correspondence addresses for the company (the registered office address), and an official Zimbabwean address for at least one company director (the service address). All addresses are shown on the company documents. Our address services can be purchased through our Non-Resident Packages by businesses who want to meet the requirements for company registration in Zimbabwe or individuals who do not want their home addresses to be on public records.

Yes, you generally need a tax clearance. The Zimbabwean law requires that all newly registered companies to register with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) within 30 days of starting to trade not necessarily after you register a company. A tax clearance confirms that your tax position is satisfactory and you have met all your tax obligations and you are compliant with Zimbabwe’s tax laws. Some businesses will not do business with you if you do not have a tax clearance or they will charge 30% withholding tax on the transaction. You also can’t open a corporate bank account in Zimbabwe without a tax clearance (bank advice note) and a tax clearance also gives your business credibility.

After we have successfully registered your company, we will communicate with you through our many communication platforms including WhatsApp, Email, phone call etc.

Registering a company in Zimbabwe is inexpensive, however running one involves several costs. Beyond the initial registration and Companies Registry Annual Returns and Declaration of AGM for a PLC or Declaration of Business Continuance for a PBC, you must account for Tax on profits.

Other common operational costs are similar to any business and can include:

• Payroll and employee expenses

• Professional fees for accountants or advisors

• Office rent and utilities

• Insurance

• Bank charges

We typically register companies with 100,000 authorized shares but recommend you start by issuing only 100. This makes defining ownership simple and limits shareholder liability.

Examples:

• One shareholder: Issue 100 shares (100% ownership).

• Multiple shareholders: Issue shares to reflect their stake (e.g., 40, 30, and 30 for a 40/30/30 split).

We can assist later if you need to allot more shares or transfer existing ones.

Absolutely, YES!!! If your company has never conducted business, deregistering it is a straightforward and low-cost procedure. However, if it has traded, you must first comply with all regulatory filings and tax obligations. Our affordable Company Dissolution Service can manage this entire process for you, ensuring it’s done correctly.