HOW TO REGISTER A COMPANY WITH PACRA
Patent and Companies Registration Agency is the main authority that is charged with the responsibility of registering a company in Zambia. Below are the steps that are involved in registering a business or company in Zambia.

Check name for Uniqueness at PACRA.
The first step involved in company registration with the (PACRA) is to check if the business name or the name of the company is available, but even if it is available it should be checked for uniqueness with the Patent and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA).
Zambia Limited Liability Company
- Zambia LLC or a private company limited by share capital is the most common type that exists among investors who are just starting an SME
- LLC need to have two shareholders and needs to appoint two directors that can come from any country, but one among the directors needs to be a Zambian national.
- LLC in Zambia does not need paid up minimum share capital at the time of incorporating a limited liability company.
Zambia Public Limited Company (Public Company)
- Registering a Zambia plc requires at least two shareholder and two directors from any country.
- The minimum share capital that is needed to register the public company is US$10,000. One of the advantages of registering as a Public company is that the corporation can go into any type of business such as financial services, banking etc.
- This type of business can also be able to list its share publicly in the capital market.
- Public Companies listed in the Lusaka stock exchange market can enjoy one year of corporate reduced tax at 10%.
Zambia branch office
Branch of a foreign company is considered a foreign entity in Zambia. 100% ownership belongs to the companies, they must appoint a resident director, and they are liable to corporate income tax and needs to submit audited financial reports and tax returns.
Zambia Representative Office
These companies are not allowed to engage in productive or sales activities.
Register the company at PACRA
After getting a unique name for your company or business, and settling on the best type of company to register the applicant needs to approach the PACRA office where they would be able to help you with the request of registration. The following are the forms that have to be completed and submitted.
- Application form for obtaining a certificate of incorporation.
- Also, is thedeclaration of Consentwhich is to act as a Director or Secretary
- And declaration of Compliance
After the second step, the applicant should have the certificate of incorporation with the certificate of share capital. There are fees associated with each process that needs to be paid.
Registration for Corporate Tax
- In order to register for corporate tax, the applicant needs to contact the Zambia Revenue Authority, where corporate tax matters are settled.
Registration for Social Security
- In order to register for your social security, the applicant needs to contact the National Pension Scheme Authority. An employer needs to file the employer registration form alongside the copy of the company’s certificate of incorporation with the National Pension Scheme Authority. For the Employees, they must complete membership registration form, with attached copies of their National registration with Cards.
Paying Business Levy
- All Businesses are required to pay a business levy in order to commence business activities in the city council.
Registration for your VAT
- VAT registration is absolutely needed when the turnover threshold is ZMK 800,000 annually. In order to obtain VAT tax number at Zambia Revenue Authority, you need to submit the certificate of incorporation.