Recognised business entities:
Limited liability company - private or public
External company (a branch of a foreign company)
Company limited by guarantee
Partnership
Common Law Trust
Sole Proprietorship
Societies (associations of people).
Formation and registration of business entities:
Companies are registered with the Registrar of Companies in Gaborone. Only attorneys admitted to practice in Botswana are allowed to register companies on behalf of third parties.
Partnerships and sole proprietorships require no registration.
There is no legal necessity to register a Trust but the practice has developed where Trust Deeds are registered in the Deeds Registry for Botswana.
Societies are governed by statute and are registered with the Registrar of Societies.
Licensing:
A special licence is required for manufacturing. Wholesale, retail and agency businesses must also obtain trading licences. Certain categories of trading licence are restricted to Botswana citizens.
The content of this article is intended to provide general information on the subject matter. It is not therefor a substitute for specialist advice.
Minchin & Kelly (Botswana) - Gaborone (267) 312734
