How to Register a Private Company on the OBRS
Before you begin please ensure that you have:
- Proof of Botswana Citizenship – OMANG for all parties
- Proof of Non-Botswana Citizen – e.g. passport
- Completed Consent forms for Directors/Secretary/Shareholder/Member/Accounting Officer
- For Company Secretary – Copy of Practicing Certificate
Visit www.cipa.co.bw and click on Register a Private Company.
Step 1 of 8: General Details
- Enter the proposed name (please choose a unique name, not similar to existing entities). OR Choose a name that you have previously reserved.
- Is the name similar to an existing name or trademark? if it is select YES and upload permission to use it. If not, select NO.
- If you have a constitution select YES and upload it. If not, select NO.
Step 2 of 8: Address and Contact Details
- Enter the Registered office Address of the company.
- Enter the postal address of the company.
- Enter the Principal Place of Business of the company.
- Enter the phone number and email address of the company.
Step 3 of 8: Directors
- Provide the details of all the directors of the company, and upload their IDs and consent forms.
Step 4 of 8: Secretaries
- Provide the details of the secretary if you have one. You will need to upload their consent form and practicing certificate. If you do not have one at this stage, please click continue. You must however appoint a company secretary within 3 months.
Step 5 of 8: Shareholders
- Provide the details of all the shareholders of the company. Where shareholders are not the beneficial owners, a beneficial owner must be provided (refer to definition at www.cipa.co.bw). Upload a consent form for all the shareholders.
Step 6 of 8: Share Allocations
- Allocate shares to each shareholder.
- Provide the total amount of money for all the allocated shares.
Step 7 of 8: Tax Agent
- Provide the details of your tax agent if you have one, if not continue.
Step 8 of 8: Review your details
- Review all the details provided and edit any if you need to.
- Tick the box to confirm that all the details you provided are true, and that all parties have provided their consent.
- Click submit.
PAYMENT
Select whether you are paying by credit/debit card or deposit account.
- For a credit/debit: you can use any card issued by your bank as well as the VISA cards issued by Orange Money or Mascom My Zaka.
- For a deposit account: you will need to visit CIPA offices or First National Bank and deposit a sum into the deposit account.
- Please read the terms and conditions for making a payment and tick to agree.
- Click on Pay Now
- Enter your card details or select your deposit account and pay.
After paying, your application will be sent to CIPA for review. This will take 24 hours. Once the application is approved, you will get an sms notifying you of this, as well as an email with your certificate of incorporation attached. You can go to your dashboard at any time, click on the company on My Portfolio and request a PDF of the certificate. You do not need to certify the certificate as it is available online for anyone to view.
