The government is willing to do business with start-ups and small to medium enterprises more than ever. This is because they offer more value and they promote wider economic growth.
The government however needs certain requirements to be met for them to do business with you.
This guide provides information on doing business with the Zimbabwean government.
Requirements
The following are the requirements the government needs for them to do business with you:
1. Registered company
A registered company is mandatory. The government will not conduct business with unregistered individuals. The company can either be a private limited company or a private business corporation.
See also: Private Limited Company Registration Packages.
Tax clearance
A tax clearance certificate is a document that is issued by the Commissioner General of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) to a person liable to pay tax under any of the Acts administered by ZIMRA. It is an indication that your business is tax compliant.
Requirements for acquiring a tax clearance
- Certified copies of company papers
- Certified copies of directors’ IDs
- Proof of residence for every director (attach affidavit if proof is not in director’s name)
- Directors’ email addresses and phone numbers
- Current bank statement of the company
- Current personal bank statement of one of the directors.
See also: Requirements for ZIMRA registration.
Procurement regulation authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ)
Why register with PRAZ?
The government won’t do business with businesses that are not PRAZ registered.
Section 4 (2) of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (General) Regulations, 2018 states that all prospective bidders or contractors to the Public Sector shall require to be registered with PRAZ in order for them to be eligible to bid and be awarded contracts with procuring entities. The Authority shall publish the list in the Gazette and the Authority’s website.
What are the requirements to register with PRAZ?
- Certificate of Incorporation
- List of Directors showing relative extent of Zimbabwean and Foreign shareholding of the company [CR6 (Former CR14 Form)]
- Business addresses [CR5 form (Former CR6 form)]
- Articles and Memorandum of Association
- Company Profile
- Contact Details (E-Mail & Telephone)
Contact us for assistance with registering with PRAZ.
Vendor number
A vendor number is a unique number issued to business entities by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development that wish to supply the government and it’s related agencies and some NGO’s. It is used for reference when the government wants to pay a service provider.
Requirements for acquiring a vendor number
- An application letter
- Certified copy of Certificate of incorporation
- Certified copy of CR6 ( former CR14)
- Certified copy of ID/Passport/Driver’s Licence for all directors on the CR6
- An original Bank statement for the company
- Proof of residence of the directors
Contact us for assistance with acquiring a vendor number.
Tips for SME’s
Start small
The easiest way to build up a government customer base is to start with low value procurements. These may include supplying low value products such as stationary.
Engage stakeholders
If the first time you spot the opportunity, it’s already formally gone to the market, you are behind the game. Pre-market engagement is your opportunity to shape the formal tender:
- Sign up for email alerts;
- Register your interest in future procurements;
- Attend information days; and
- Register with relevant authorities.
Play to your strengths
SME’s are much more flexible than big companies. They can provide services faster and much more affordable. This enables SME’s to offer more value than big companies.
If you wish to register your company through Company Formations, check out Zimbabwe’s most comprehensive Private Limited Company Packages and Private Business Corporation Packages which include ZIMRA registration.
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