Starting a Business in Botswana

HOME       STARTING A BUSINESS

Content

1. Types of Business Entities

2. Institutions Involved

3. Business Registration Process

4. Required Documents

5. Cost

6. Duration

7. Contact Information

Summary of the Procedure

To legally operate in Botswana, businesses must be registered through the Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA). The type of business entity will depend on the business structure, ownership, and purpose

1. Types of Business Entities (5)
  • Sole Proprietorship – Owned by one individual, simple registration.
  • Partnership – Two or more individuals operating a business together.
  • Private Limited Company (Pty) Ltd – The most common for investors; separate legal entity from owners.
  • Public Limited Company (PLC) – A larger entity that can raise capital through public shares.
  • Non-Profit Organisation (NGO) – For charitable and non-commercial entities.
2. Institutions Involved (2)
  • Company and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA)
  • Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS)
3. Business Registration Process (5)
  1. Name Reservation: Submit a business name application via CIPA (1-2 days, Cost: P20).
  2. Company Incorporation: Register business online at www.cipa.co.bw (2-7 days, Cost: P360-P1000 based on entity type).
  3. Tax Registration: Register for tax identification with the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS).
  4. Trade License Application: Required for certain businesses (see Trade & Business Licenses Application).
  5. Opening a Bank Account: Business must have a corporate account to operate legally.
4. Required Documents (4)
  • Passport
  • Proof of Identity
  • Company profile
  • Banking Details
5. Cost

Process

Cost (BWP)

Name Reservation

20

Company Registration

360 - 1000

Tax Registration

Free

Total Estimated Cost

380 - 1020 BWP

6. Duration

Process

Duration (days)

Name Reservation and Approval

1 - 2

Company Registration and Approval

2 - 7

Tax Registration and Approval

1

Total Duration

4 - 10 days

7. Botswana Laws

Law # 004/203 of 20/05/2015 Legal aspects of doing business

8. Contact Information

FOR CIPA (Main Office)

  +267 367 3700

  info@cipa.co.bw

  www.cipa.co.bw

  Plot 181, BOCRA Building, Gaborone, Botswana

FOR BURS (Main Office)

  +267 390 1210

  info@burs.org.bw

  www.burs.org.bw

  Private Bag 0013, Gaborone, Botswana