Updated June 2026
To register a company in Zimbabwe you need an approved company name (CR21), the CR14 form listing directors and the secretary, the CR6 form giving the registered office address, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and certified ID or passport copies for every director and shareholder. A Private Limited Company needs at least 2 directors and a Private Business Corporation needs just one member. Registration is fully electronic — we prepare and file every form for you for a flat $150.
Key Facts (2026)
- Company registration in Zimbabwe is governed by the Companies and Other Business Entities Act [Chapter 24:31].
- The Registrar of Companies issues the Certificate of Incorporation (CR2) once all forms are accepted.
- A Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd) requires a minimum of 2 directors and 2 shareholders; at least one director must be ordinarily resident in Zimbabwe.
- A Private Business Corporation (PBC) requires only 1 member (maximum 20) and no company secretary.
- Every company must have a physical registered office address in Zimbabwe (not a PO Box), declared on the CR6.
- After incorporation, the company must register with ZIMRA for income tax (and VAT if it exceeds the threshold).
- Registration in Zimbabwe is fully electronic — we handle the filing on your behalf.
Overview of Registration Requirements
The exact requirements depend on the entity type, but every Zimbabwe registration needs an approved name, identity documents, a registered office, and the relevant statutory forms. The Companies and Other Business Entities Act [Chapter 24:31] sets out the requirements for registering business entities in Zimbabwe.
Use the checklist below to ensure you have everything ready. We handle the filing for you — you simply supply the documents and decisions.
Document Checklist at a Glance
For a Private Limited Company you need five statutory forms plus IDs and proof of address. Here is the core checklist most founders ask for:
| Item | What it is |
|---|---|
| CR21 — Name Search | Reserves and approves your company name |
| CR14 — Directors & Secretary | Particulars of directors and the company secretary |
| CR6 — Registered Office | Notice of the physical registered office address |
| Memorandum of Association | Sets out the company objects and subscribers |
| Articles of Association | Internal rules governing how the company is run |
| ID / Passport copies | Certified copies for every director and shareholder |
| Proof of office address | Utility bill or lease for the registered office |
| CR2 — Certificate of Incorporation | Issued by the Registrar once the filing is approved |
Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd) Requirements
People Required
- Minimum 2 directors — natural persons (not companies); at least one must be ordinarily resident in Zimbabwe
- Minimum 2 shareholders — can be the same persons as the directors; can be natural persons or companies
- 1 company secretary — a natural person; cannot be the sole director
Documents Required
| # | Document | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Name Approval Letter | From the CR21 name search |
| 2 | Memorandum of Association | Signed by all subscribers (shareholders) |
| 3 | Articles of Association | Signed by all subscribers |
| 4 | CR14 Form | Particulars of directors and secretary; signed by each person listed |
| 5 | CR6 Form | Notice of registered office address |
| 6 | ID Copies (Directors) | National ID for Zimbabwean residents; passport for foreigners |
| 7 | ID Copies (Shareholders) | National ID or passport; company registration certificate if corporate shareholder |
| 8 | ID Copy (Secretary) | National ID or passport |
| 9 | Proof of Address | Utility bill or lease agreement for the registered office |
| 10 | Fees | All government fees included in our flat $150 Pvt Ltd service |
Private Business Corporation (PBC) Requirements
A PBC is the simplest entity to register — one member, no secretary, and a single Founding Statement instead of a Memorandum and Articles.
People Required
- Minimum 1 member (maximum 20) — must be a natural person
- No company secretary required
Documents Required
| # | Document | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Name Approval Letter | From the CR21 name search |
| 2 | Founding Statement | Simpler than a Memorandum; includes member details, business activities, and ownership interests |
| 3 | ID Copies (Members) | National ID or passport for each member |
| 4 | Proof of Address | For the registered office |
| 5 | Fees | All government fees included in our flat $150 PBC service |
Public Limited Company (PLC) Requirements
PLCs have the most extensive requirements. In addition to all Pvt Ltd documents, you need:
- Minimum 7 shareholders and 2 directors
- Minimum authorised share capital of $5,000 (25% paid up before trading)
- Qualified company secretary
- Prospectus (if offering shares to the public)
- Statutory declaration of compliance
- All filing fees included in our service packages
Foreign Company Requirements
Foreign companies registering a branch must provide additional documentation:
- Certified copy of the Certificate of Incorporation from the country of origin (apostilled)
- Certified copy of the Memorandum and Articles of the parent company (apostilled)
- List of directors of the parent company
- Power of Attorney appointing the local representative
- Particulars of the local representative (resident in Zimbabwe)
- All filing fees included in our service packages
Information You Need to Decide Before Registering
Before starting the registration process, have the following decisions made:
- Company Name: Have 3 preferred names ready for the name search
- Business Activities: Know what the company will do (this goes into the Memorandum)
- Directors & Secretary: Confirm who will serve and obtain their written consent
- Shareholders & Share Split: Decide who owns what percentage
- Share Capital: Decide the number and value of shares to issue
- Registered Office: Confirm the physical address
- Financial Year End: Choose a financial year end date
Disqualifications
The following persons cannot serve as directors or company secretaries in Zimbabwe:
- Persons under 18 years of age
- Persons of unsound mind (as declared by a court)
- Undischarged bankrupts (insolvent persons)
- Persons convicted of fraud, theft, or dishonesty offences within the preceding 5 years
- Persons disqualified by court order
- A body corporate (companies cannot be directors of other companies)
We Handle the Filing — Flat $150
Not sure what you need? Send us your details and we prepare the complete registration pack — CR21, CR14, CR6, Memorandum and Articles — lodge it for you, and deliver your Certificate of Incorporation. All government fees included. PBC or Private Limited Company: $150. Diaspora founders: $500.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What documents do I need to register a company in Zimbabwe?
To register a company in Zimbabwe you need: an approved name (CR21 name search), the Memorandum of Association, the Articles of Association, the CR14 form (director and secretary details), the CR6 form (registered office address), copies of national IDs or passports for all directors and shareholders, and proof of the registered office address. For a Private Business Corporation (PBC) you only need a Founding Statement, member ID copies, and proof of address.
What is required to open a company in Zimbabwe?
To open a Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd) in Zimbabwe you need a minimum of 2 directors (one ordinarily resident in Zimbabwe), 2 shareholders, 1 company secretary, an approved company name, a registered office address, and the statutory forms: CR21, CR14, CR6, plus the Memorandum and Articles of Association. A PBC requires just one member. Registration is fully electronic and we handle the entire filing for a flat $150.
How many directors are required to register a company in Zimbabwe?
A Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd) requires a minimum of 2 directors, both of whom must be natural persons, and at least one must be ordinarily resident in Zimbabwe. A Private Business Corporation (PBC) requires only one member and no separate director or secretary.
Do I need a physical office to register a company in Zimbabwe?
Yes. Every company must have a registered office address in Zimbabwe, recorded on the CR6 form. This must be a physical address (not a PO Box) where official correspondence and legal documents can be served. You can use a residential address, and many registration agents also offer a registered office service.
Can I use my home address as the registered office?
Yes. There is no legal restriction against using a residential address as the company registered office, provided it is a physical address in Zimbabwe where documents can be served. Note that the registered office address becomes part of the public company record.
Do directors need to be Zimbabwean citizens?
No. Directors do not need to be Zimbabwean citizens. However, at least one director of a Private Limited Company must be ordinarily resident in Zimbabwe. Foreign directors provide certified passport copies instead of national IDs. Diaspora founders without a Zimbabwean national ID cannot file the forms themselves, so we complete the registration on their behalf.
Can I register a company in Zimbabwe from the diaspora?
Yes. You can register a Zimbabwe company from anywhere in the world. Because self-filing requires a Zimbabwean national ID, diaspora founders use a registration agent. We act as your local representative, complete the CR21, CR14, CR6, Memorandum and Articles, and deliver your Certificate of Incorporation. Our Diaspora package is a flat $500.