How to Register a Company in Zimbabwe (2026 Guide)

Registering a company in Zimbabwe is straightforward once you know the order of steps. Companies are registered under the Companies and Other Business Entities Act [Chapter 24:31], which came into force on 13 February 2020 and replaced the old Companies Act. This guide walks through the whole process, from choosing a structure to the filings you must keep up with every year.

1. Choose the right structure

Most small and growing businesses choose between two structures:

• Private Business Corporation (PBC) — the simplest registered entity, suited to owner-run and family businesses with a limited number of members.
• Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd) — the better choice if you plan to bring in investors, issue shares or bid for tenders that require a company.

Not sure which one fits? Read our comparison: PBC vs Private Limited Company.

2. Search and reserve your name

Before anything else, the name must be approved. The Registrar refuses names that are identical or too similar to existing entities, misleading, offensive, or that suggest government patronage without consent. Submit two or three options in order of preference. Once approved, the name is reserved for a limited period while you complete registration.

3. Gather your documents

For every director, shareholder or member you will need:

• A certified copy of their national ID or passport
• Proof of residential address
• Full names exactly as they appear on their ID

You will also need the company’s registered office address in Zimbabwe, a short description of the business activities and, for a company, the shareholding split.

4. Prepare and lodge the forms

The key filings under the current Act are:

Form	What it records
Constitution / incorporation statement	How the company or PBC is run and owned
CR6	Directors and company secretary (this replaced the old CR14 for directors)
CR16	Beneficial owners — the real people who own or control the company

Once lodged, the Registrar reviews the application. When everything is complete and correct, most registrations are done in about three working days, although the Registrar’s queue can add time.

5. After you receive your certificate

Registration is only the first step. To trade, employ staff and bid for work, most businesses also need:

• ZIMRA tax registration on the TaRMS system, which issues your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). More
• VAT registration once taxable turnover exceeds, or is likely to exceed, US$25,000 in 12 months. More
• PAYE registration within 14 days of becoming an employer. More
• NSSA registration for all employers. More
• PRAZ registration if you want to bid for government tenders. More

6. Stay compliant every year

Every company must lodge an annual return every 12 months and keep its statutory registers — members, directors and beneficial owners — up to date. Companies registered on the old paper system must also re-register on the online register or risk being struck off.

Your registration checklist

• Two or three name options, in order of preference
• Who the directors, shareholders or members will be
• How the shares or interests will be split (for a company the totals must add up)
• A physical registered office address in Zimbabwe
• Clear copies of every person’s ID or passport and proof of residence
• A one-line description of what the business will do

How long does it take?

There are two waits. The name search usually comes back within a few working days. Once the name is approved and every document is complete, the registration itself is typically done in about three working days. Most delays come from the second step — missing or unclear documents — not from the Registrar.

Common reasons applications get held up

• Name too close to an existing one. Have back-up names ready.
• Unclear or uncertified ID copies. Every page must be readable.
• Address mismatches. The address on the forms should match the proof of residence.
• Shareholding that doesn’t add up or differs between forms.
• Missing beneficial ownership details — the real people behind any company or nominee shareholder must be declared.

What you receive at the end

• Certificate of incorporation
• Your registered constitution
• CR6 confirming directors and secretary
• Beneficial ownership record
• Share certificates and register of members (for a company)

Keep these together. Banks, landlords, tender committees and ZIMRA will ask for them, often more than once.

Registering from outside Harare or from the diaspora

You don’t need to be in Harare. Directors and shareholders can send documents as scans or clear photos, and signatures can be arranged remotely. If you live outside Zimbabwe, plan for how you’ll get certified copies of your ID and proof of address, and make sure the company has a physical registered office in Zimbabwe.

This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change — confirm the current position with the relevant authority or ask us before you act.