Company registration in Zimbabwe Made Simple

Company registration in Zimbabwe, also known as company incorporation or company formation, is the legal process of incorporating a business entity. This includes structures such as Private Limited Companies (PLCs), Private Business Corporations (PBCs), Companies Limited by Guarantee etc.

Companies Made Simple is a leading registration agent. We specialise in guiding clients through this process, handling all formalities with the official Companies Registry on your behalf.

Registering a company gives you limited liability — legal protection that limits the owners’ financial responsibility to the amount they invest in the company. Your personal assets are protected from business debts, lawsuits, and legal claims. If the company owes money or is sued, shareholders are not personally liable beyond their investment.

Other benefits include credibility, tax advantages, brand protection, access to funding, and perpetual existence.

A Private Limited Company is the most popular and widely accepted company structure in Zimbabwe. It suits nearly all types of trading and is legally separate from its owners, known as shareholders. Shareholders are only liable for company debts up to the amount they invest — their personal assets are protected if the company incurs debts or is sued. Private limited companies are formed to make a profit.

Alternatively, you can register a Private Business Corporation (PBC). This structure is mostly suitable for small businesses and professionals such as accountants, architects, dentists, and solicitors, who often operate as individuals or in partnerships. A PBC also offers limited liability protection.

Registering a company with Companies Made Simple is easy. Just choose a company structure, select a registration package, and provide your company information. We handle the rest. It takes only 5 minutes to complete your company details.

In general, company registration in Zimbabwe takes 5–7 working days. You spend about 5 minutes providing us with your company details, and the Companies Registry then takes 5–7 working days to process the documents.

If it is important that you have your new company registered as soon as possible, we recommend you communicate earlier or you might as well just buy a shelf company which allows you to receive your documents within 24 working hours.

Company registration in Zimbabwe costs US$100.00 for a Private Business Corporation (PBC) and US$160.00 for a Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd). Payment can be made by cash, bank transfer, EcoCash, Zipit, or remittance services for international clients.

Find out more about our Private Business Corporation Packages and Private Limited Company Packages. We also offer Non-Resident Packages for clients living outside Zimbabwe.

ZWL prices are available on request.

To register a company in Zimbabwe, you will need:

• Proposed company names

• A registered office address

• Director and shareholder details

• A description of the company’s business activities

For full details, please see our Required Information Checklist.

We highly recommend opening a company bank account after registering your company in Zimbabwe. A separate company bank account helps keep your personal and business finances separate, which is important for legal and tax reasons.

It also makes it easier to track business income and expenses and to manage your cash flow effectively. You cannot be issued a tax clearance without a bank account, and having one improves your business’s credibility with suppliers, investors, and customers.

Absolutely. Zimbabwean law allows non-residents to register and own a company. The main condition is that your company must appoint at least one director who is a resident of Zimbabwe. This resident director can be a Zimbabwean citizen or a foreign national with legal residency status.

Yes. Every registered company in Zimbabwe is legally required to have a local registered office address. This is the official legal address for receiving government correspondence, legal notices, and official mail.

For clients without a local physical office, Companies Made Simple provides a professional Registered Office Service. This ensures legal compliance, protects your privacy, and enhances your company’s credibility with a recognised Zimbabwean address.

In most cases, no documents are required to begin the registration process. We take the information you provide on trust, assuming it is true and accurate.

However, you are welcome to provide copies of the following if you wish:

• Director’s ID or passport

• Shareholder’s ID or passport

• Proof of residence

Directors hold legal responsibility for running the company and ensuring it operates correctly. This includes key duties such as tax compliance, financial reporting, and filing updated forms with the Companies Registry.

Yes. Tax registration and obtaining a tax clearance certificate are mandatory within 30 days of starting business operations in Zimbabwe. A valid tax clearance certificate is also required to open a corporate bank account.

You must register for Value Added Tax (VAT) once your taxable supplies exceed or are expected to exceed US$25,000 (or ZiG equivalent) within any 12-month period.

Company officers (directors and/or the secretary) can apply to de-register a company at any time after registration. We offer a Company De-registration Service for clients who wish to close their company. The service costs US$55.

Whatever your reason for de-registering, we complete all the relevant paperwork and file it with the Companies Registry, saving you time and effort. Once your documents are lodged with the Companies Registry, your company will be removed from the companies register.

Companies Made Simple is one of Zimbabwe’s leading company registration agents, authorised by the Companies and Intellectual Property Office of Zimbabwe (CIPZ) and a member of ZACRA (Zimbabwe Association of Company Registration Agents).

We specialise in company registration in Zimbabwe and provide registered office, service address, and business mail forwarding services. Our electronic submission capability allows for paperless company registrations directly with the Companies Office.