Starting a Business - Botswana

100% foreign shareholding is permitted in most industries. Certain strategic or regulated sectors may require prior ministerial approval, but the default position is open to full foreign ownership.

Every company must appoint at least one director who is resident in Botswana (a citizen or a foreign national holding a valid residence/investor permit). Foreign nationals serving as directors must obtain a Director Permit from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship before assuming the role.

Registration is done online via CIPA's OBRS portal in four steps: (1) reserve a company name (~BWP 20 fee), (2) prepare Memorandum and Articles of Association plus director/shareholder IDs, (3) submit Form 1 and pay incorporation fee (~BWP 360–500), (4) receive Certificate of Incorporation. Standard processing is 5–7 working days.

There is no statutory minimum paid-up capital required to register a private company with CIPA. However, foreigners applying for an Investor's Permit to reside and manage the business in Botswana are expected to demonstrate a minimum investment of BWP 1 million (approximately USD 75,000).

After incorporation, companies must: (1) obtain a trade license from the relevant Town or District Council under the Trade Act, renewed annually; (2) register for Corporate Income Tax with the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS); (3) file beneficial ownership information with CIPA. As of the 2025–2026 compliance update, all companies must submit a formal constitution to CIPA by 20 March 2026 (fee BWP 500).

Amendments to the Companies Act require all registered companies (new and existing) to file a constitution with CIPA by 20 March 2026. The Act now mandates disclosure of nominee directors/shareholders and identification of 'controllers' (persons with significant influence). Non-compliance can affect good standing.