The procedure for company registration in Zimbabwe is divided into 2 stages. There is the name search and reservation stage and then there is the incorporation and registration stage. The procedure is basically the same whether you are registering a PBC (Private Business Corporation) or a PLC (Private Limited Company). The name search stage is the same for both company types so we shall list it the same for both.

The procedure for registering a company in Zimbabwe generally follows two steps:

Stage 1: Name search

A request is made to the Registrar of Companies office (also called the DCIP – Department of Companies & Intellectual Property) for a search to be made in the Register of Companies. The following is applicable at the name search stage:

  • The purpose of an application for reservation of name is to get the authority of the Registrar to use a particular name.
  • If the Registrar approves your application to reserve a name, he will reserve that name for you for a period of up to two months to enable you to register your company. He will not allow any other person to use that name during that period.
  • You are advised to give four names in your application so that if one name is not accepted, another one may be. You should list the names in order of preference.
  • The Registrar will not accept a name which is similar to that of another company or PBC, or is likely to mislead the public or is indecent.
  • The Registrar will give a written notice of whether any of your names were accepted or if they were rejected. This process takes 3 to 6 working days.

a) Reasons why names may be rejected

  • Your chosen name is too close to a registered company or PBC either when written down or when pronounced e.g. OK and Okay.
  • Your company name is likely to be offensive, blasphemous or indecent to any person or class of people.
  • Your company name is likely to deceive or mislead the public e.g. a company called Ministry of Computers.
  • Your company name suggests patronage of the Government or some other authority or organisation.
  • Your company name is undesirable for any other reason.

Stage 2: Incorporation & registration

 

a) Procedure for registration as a PBC (Private Business Corporation)

  • After your name has been successfully reserved, the documentation for the registration of the PBC must be submitted to the Registrar of Companies. This process involves the appointment of members (shareholders/ directors) of the PBC. Each member is assigned a percentage of ownership in the PBC. The total percentage for all members must add up to 100%.
  • The Registrar will then register the PBC and assign to it a registration number. The Registrar will put his seal, his stamp and his signature to the PBC Incorporation Statement to signify its authenticity. The PBC is also entered into the Company registry and becomes searchable in the Registrar’s database. This process takes 3 to 6 working days.

b) Procedure for registration as a PLC (Private Limited Company)

  • After your name has been successfully reserved, the memorandum and articles of association signed by the shareholders together with the CR6 and CR14 signed by either a director or secretary of the company are submitted to the Registrar of Companies. Each shareholder must sign in their own handwriting and specify the number of shares they have been allocated.
  • The Registrar will then register the PLC and assign to it a registration number. A certificate of Incorporation is also issued. The Registrar will put his seal, his stamp and his signature to the Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum & Articles of Association and the CR6 & CR14 to signify their authenticity. The PLC is also entered into the Company registry and becomes searchable in the Registrar’s database. This process takes 3 to 6 working days.

 

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