The complete 2026 guide to company registration — entity types, government fees, step-by-step process, and post-registration compliance. Updated April 2026.
Company registration in Zimbabwe is governed by the Companies and Other Business Entities Act (COBE Act) [Chapter 24:31] and administered by the Registrar of Companies (part of the Companies and Deeds Registry). The process takes 2–4 weeks for local applicants and 6–8 weeks for diaspora applicants registering from abroad.
Here is the complete 10-step process from name search to trading:
Decide which business structure suits your needs. Zimbabwe offers five main entity types under the COBE Act (see the comparison table below). The most popular choice is a Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd), which provides limited liability, a professional image, and the ability to raise capital through share issuance.
Submit a CR21 Name Search form to the Registrar of Companies with up to 5 proposed names. The Registrar checks for identical or confusingly similar names and reserves your approved name for 30 days. Fee: approximately USD 10–20. Processing: 2–7 working days.
While waiting for name approval, prepare the founding documents:
Lodge the complete registration pack at the Companies and Deeds Registry in Harare (Block 1, Endeavour Crescent, Mount Pleasant) or via the ZimConnect online portal. Pay the government registration fee (see fees table below).
If all documents are in order, the Registrar issues a Certificate of Incorporation. This is the legal proof that your company exists as a separate legal entity with its own rights and obligations. Processing: 7–14 working days.
Register on the ZIMRA TaRMS Self-Service Portal to obtain a Tax Identification Number (TIN). This is free and takes 2–5 working days. You will need your Certificate of Incorporation, directors’ IDs, and proof of address.
If your annual taxable turnover will exceed USD 25,000, you must register for VAT. The standard VAT rate is 15.5% (increased from 15% effective 1 January 2026). Voluntary registration is available below the threshold.
If you will employ staff, register with the National Social Security Authority (NSSA). Employer registration is free. Pension contributions are 9% of insurable earnings (4.5% employer + 4.5% employee), up to a ceiling of USD 700/month.
Banks require your CR2, Memorandum & Articles, CR14, CR6, directors’ IDs, proof of residence, and a ZIMRA bank advice note (issued to new companies that do not yet have a tax clearance certificate). Source: First Capital Bank.
Apply for a business licence from your local city or town council. Annual fees in Harare range from USD 58 (hawkers) to USD 300 (standard shop licence) after the 2025 fee reduction. Source: Harare City Council.
We manage the full 10-step process — from name search to bank account opening
WhatsApp for a Quote View PricingChoosing the right entity type is one of the most important decisions when starting a business in Zimbabwe. Here is a side-by-side comparison of all major entity types under the COBE Act:
| Feature | Pvt Ltd | PBC | PLC | Partnership | Trust |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governing law | COBE Act | COBE Act | COBE Act | COBE Act (voluntary reg.) | Deeds Registries Act |
| Limited liability | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | N/A (trustees liable) |
| Minimum directors/members | 1 director | 1 member | 2 directors | 2 partners | 1 founder + 1 trustee |
| Company secretary | Required (resident) | Not required | Required (qualified professional) | N/A | N/A |
| Can issue shares | Yes (to max 50) | No | Yes (unlimited) | No | No |
| Government registration fee | USD 100–150 | USD 70–140 | USD 200+ | Prescribed fee | Per S.I. 76 of 2025 |
| Annual returns | USD 55/year | USD 55/year | USD 55/year | None | None |
| Best for | Most businesses | Solo operators | Large enterprises, listing | Professional practices | Family wealth, NGOs |
All fees are prescribed by S.I. 95 of 2023 and payable in USD or ZiG equivalent at the prevailing interbank rate. These are the government fees only — separate from professional/agent service fees.
| Service | Government Fee (USD) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Name search & reservation (CR21) | $10–20 | S.I. 95 of 2023 |
| Pvt Ltd registration (CR14, CR6, M&A) | $100–150 | S.I. 95 of 2023 |
| PBC registration | $70–140 | Lucent Consultancy |
| Foreign company branch registration | $1,400 | M&J Consultants |
| Annual return filing | $55/year | Companies Registry |
| ZIMRA tax registration (TIN) | Free | ZIMRA |
| NSSA employer registration | Free | NSSA |
| Business licence (Harare, small shop) | $200–300/year | Harare City Council |
| Item | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Name search | $10–20 |
| Registration (statutory) | $100–150 |
| Professional fees (M&A, CR14, CR6 preparation) | $100–300 |
| ZIMRA registration | Free |
| NSSA registration | Free |
| Business licence (Harare, small shop) | $200–300 |
| Company stamp/seal | $10–30 |
| Bank account opening | Free–$50 |
| Total (minimum) | $420–850 |
Source: S.I. 95 of 2023 (Veritas Zimbabwe), M&J Consultants, Harare City Council. PBC registration is cheaper at approximately $70–140. Foreign branch registration is approximately $1,400.
Over 52% of our impressions come from outside Zimbabwe. If you are in the UK, South Africa, Australia, UAE, USA, Canada, or Botswana, you can register a Zimbabwe company without travelling. The process requires:
Diaspora registration typically takes 6–8 weeks compared to 2–4 weeks for local applicants. We handle the full process remotely.
Read the Diaspora Registration Guide
Once your company is incorporated, you must meet several ongoing compliance requirements:
| Tax Type | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate Income Tax | 25% + 3% AIDS levy = 25.75% | Special rates for exporters, SEZs, miners |
| VAT | 15.5% | Increased from 15% on 1 Jan 2026 |
| PAYE (Individual Income Tax) | 0%–40% + 3% AIDS levy | Tax-free threshold: USD 1,200/year |
| Presumptive Tax | Varies by category | Final tax for transport, hairdressers, traders, etc. |
| IMTT | 1.5% (ZiG) / 2% (USD) | Capped at USD 10,150 |
| Withholding Tax (dividends) | 10%–15% | 10% ZSE-listed, 15% unlisted |
Source: ZIMRA — zimra.co.zw; M&J Consultants — mjconsultants.co.zw
Foreign investors should be aware that certain business sectors are reserved for Zimbabwean citizens only under S.I. 215 of 2025:
If you are a foreign national, you cannot register a company in these sectors. For all other sectors, foreign ownership is permitted — consider registering with ZIDA (Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency) for facilitated processing and potential incentives.
Source: 3-MOB — 3-mob.com
Entity types, requirements, costs, forms (CR14, CR6, CR21), diaspora registration
Tax registration, income tax tables, VAT, PAYE, tax clearance, presumptive tax
Labour Act, NSSA registration, work permits, minimum wage, employment contracts
Industry guides: pharmacy, restaurant, gas station, security, mining, construction
Business licensing, import/export, annual returns, re-registration deadline
NDAs, shareholder agreements, employment contracts, partnership deeds
From $150 for a Private Limited Company. Same-week turnaround. We handle everything.
WhatsApp Us on +263 77 431 4234 View Full PricingGovernment fees for a Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd) are approximately USD 100–150 per S.I. 95 of 2023. A Private Business Corporation (PBC) costs USD 70–140. Foreign company branch registration costs approximately USD 1,400. Total startup costs including business licence range from USD 420–850 for a Pvt Ltd. See our full pricing breakdown.
Standard processing takes 2–4 weeks: name search (2–7 days) plus registration at the Registrar of Companies (7–14 days). Through a professional agent, the process can be completed in 3–7 working days. Diaspora registration takes 6–8 weeks on average. Source: CompanyRegZimbabwe.
Yes. Over 52% of our clients register from outside Zimbabwe. You appoint a local representative via a notarised Power of Attorney. We handle the entire process remotely for clients in the UK, South Africa, Australia, UAE, USA, Canada, and Botswana. Read our diaspora guide.
A Pvt Ltd has separate shareholders and directors, requires a company secretary, and can issue shares to investors. A PBC has members who both own and manage the entity (1–20 members, at least 1 Zimbabwean), no company secretary required, and cannot issue shares. PBC registration costs less ($70–140 vs $100–150) but offers fewer growth options. Learn more about Pvt Ltd registration.
Under S.I. 108 of 2025, all companies registered under the old paper-based system must re-register on the electronic registry by 20 April 2026. Failure to re-register results in automatic deregistration — the company ceases to exist in law and the name becomes available for others to register. Read the re-registration guide.
Yes. After incorporation you must register with ZIMRA for a Tax Identification Number (TIN) via the TaRMS Self-Service Portal. This is free. If annual turnover exceeds USD 25,000, VAT registration (15.5% rate from 2026) is mandatory. PAYE registration is required if you hire employees.
Under S.I. 215 of 2025: passenger transport (taxis/buses), barber shops, hairdressing/beauty salons, bakeries, employment agencies, advertising agencies, tobacco grading/packaging, artisanal mining, borehole drilling, and pharmaceutical retailing. Foreign investors cannot operate in these sectors.
We accept EcoCash, bank transfer (USD and ZiG), Mukuru, and WorldRemit. Diaspora clients can pay via international bank transfer or mobile money services. WhatsApp us for payment details.