mti.gov.bw Business Registration Botswana : Ministry of Trade & Industry

Name of the Organization : Ministry of Trade & Industry
Type of Facility : Business Registration
Country : Botswana

Official Website : http://www.mti.gov.bw/home

Business Registration

To operate a business in Botswana it is advisable to register a company, a business name or a co-operative society.

Related : Ministry of Trade & Industry Business/Trademark & Company Name Search Botswana : www.statusin.org/5116.html

Once you have registered your company or business you need to apply for a licence with the relevant government department.

A company is a legal entity which arises when one or more persons form a corporate body which can acquire personality separate from that of its members with some legal powers to sue, or be sued, own property and make contracts.

Whilst a business name is a name, title, description or a way of doing business, whether in partnership or otherwise. The owner is not separate from the business itself. It has less registration requirements compared to a company.

A cooperative society is an autonomous association of persons who voluntarily come together to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise. The law in Botswana encourages the registration and development of a self-reliant co-operative movement providing for the economic interests and welfare of its members within the framework of the policies for national development.

When registering a Company or Business, the process entails;
** Selecting and reserving the name for your business, please check in our database if it is already registered to improve the cahnces of getting that name.
** Registering the name.

Selecting Company or Business Name :
Companies and Business Names are regulated by Companies Act Cap :42:01 and Registration of Business Names Act Cap:42:05 respectively.

Application for Business Name Registration

After approval of the reserved name the applicant should submit completed application forms for Business Name Registration (RBN/2 form). In this form the application should state the nature of business .

The registration fee is BWP150.

The customer will be issued with a Certificate of Registration for the Business Name within five (5) working days.The Business Name can only be used after the Certificate of Registration has been issued.

Application for Business Name Reservation : http://www.mti.gov.bw/content/application-business-name-registration

Application for Name Reservation :
Business names are regulated by Registration of Business Name Act Cap :42:05. A customer who wishes to reserve a Business Name has to :

Complete Form RBN/1A

An application for the reservation of a Business Name shall be presented at a fee of BWP20.

The Registrar is mandated to examine names and should conform to the following :
** Should not be similar or identical to an existing name.
** Should not, in the opinion of the Registrar, be likely to mislead the public.
** Should not suggest that it enjoys the patronage of any government or General Assembly of the United Nations.
** Should not have a name, title, description or style which include the word “co-operative” or its equivalent

The proposed name :
The Registrar of Business Names shall respond in writing rejecting or approving the proposed name within five (5) working days from the date the application was received.

The reserved name shall be valid for a period of 30 working days. Failure to present the required registration forms ( RBN/2) within the stipulated time, the proposed name shall be deemed invalid.

Application for Name Reservation : http://www.mti.gov.bw/content/business-name-reservation-application

Changes in Business Names :
The office should be notified of any changes in ownership, physical and postal address and business close down (Cessation ) through completion and submission of the following forms:
** Notice of Change (RBN/3) at BWP 50.
** Notice of Cessation (RBN/5) at BWP 50.

Changes in Business Names : http://www.mti.gov.bw/content/business-names-changes

Contact Details :
The Permanent Secretary
Private Bag 004, Gaborone, Botswana
Tel : +267 3601 200, Fax: +267 397 1539
Email : mtihq@gov.bw
Office Hours : Monday to Friday
Morning 07 :30-12:45,
Afternoon 13 :45 – 16:30.

Additional Simplified Procedure

You can register your business online in Botswana through the Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA)’s Online Business Registration System (OBRS).

Here are the steps on how to do it:
1. Go to the CIPA website: https://www.cipa.co.bw/
2. Click on the “OBRS” tab.
3. Click on the “Register” button.
4. You will need to create an account. Enter your name, email address, and password.
5. Click on the “Create Account” button.
6. You will receive an email with a confirmation link. Click on the link to activate your account.
7. Once your account is activated, you can log in to the OBRS system.
8. Click on the “Register a Company” tab.
9. Enter the required information about your company, such as the company name, type of company, and registered address.
10. Upload the required documents, such as the Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association.
11. Pay the registration fee.
12. Click on the “Submit” button.

Your business registration application will be processed by CIPA. You will be notified of the outcome of your application via email.

Here are some additional tips for business registration online in Botswana:
** Make sure you have all of the required documents before you start the registration process.
** Be careful when entering your personal information. Make sure it is accurate and up-to-date.
** Keep a copy of your business registration certificate for your records.
** If you have any questions, contact the CIPA helpdesk.