Quick info guide

Online Registration

For online registration, you must create a user account first. Follow these steps:

o Step 1: Ensure you have a working email account; internet browser; and printer to print your reference number
o Step 2: To register, go to the Registrar General’s website 
o Select the Malawi Business Registration System (MBRS) link which takes you to the “User registration form” after selecting the “Register” link
o Complete the process by pressing the “Submit” tab
o Step 3: Log into the system using your user account and follow the steps to register. your business You can also make payments online. For details visit www.registrargeneral.gov.mw.

Registrar General offices

The Department of Registrar General has offices in all three administrative regions of Malawi.

Central Region
Pagat House
Paul Kagame Road
P.O Box 1780, Lilongwe
Web: www.registrargeneral.gov.mw
Email: info@registrargeneral.gov.mw
Contact person: Ada Kaposa Bakali
Tel: +265 (0) 999479968

Southern Region
Fatima Arcade
Haile Selassie Road
P.O. Box 100, Blantyre
Tel: +265(1)824355 / +265(1)824668 / +265(1)824785 / +265(1)824394
Contact person: Flora  Shawa
Tel: +265 (0) 991141857

Northern Region
1st Floor Amina House, IK Building
P.O. Box 912, Mzuzu
Contact Person: Violet T. Chibambo Mhango
Tel: +265 (0) 999148915

Registering a business in Malawi

The Department of Registrar General (in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs) is responsible for business registration. There are three ways a woman entrepreneur in Malawi can register her business:

1. One is by registering online (www.registrargeneral.gov.mw);

2. Applying through the One Stop Service Centre at Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC) or;

3. Submitting an application directly to the Office of the Registrar General or any of its branch offices.

Registration takes only five (5) days on average if done in person or online, and 14 days if done by mail.
angle-left Business registration process

Business registration process

 

  1. Business Name Registration: Registration of other forms of trading other than through a medium of a company involves:
    • Completion of a two page form that requires basic information concerning business name and personal information of the applicant, subject to trading permits or licenses that other industries may require.
    • The application fee payable to the Registrar General (K2000 only).

   2. Companies: The procedures are different between Local and Foreign Company Registra­tion  and incorporation.

2.1 Local Company Registration: A Local Company is defined as a company incorporated under the Malawi Companies Act. A local company registration requires the following to be submitted to the Registrar of Companies:

  1. Memorandum of Association with at least two subscribers (shareholders/members): Registration fees for Local Company Registration are MK100 for first MK1000 share capital value then MK10 for each additional MK2000 of share capital value. Or alternatively calculated as: [(MK (Share capital) x 20) divided by 2000 plus MK25,500. Share capital multiplied by 20, divided by 2000, and add MK25,500
    .
  2. Articles of Association which should show the following information:

    o Situation and postal address of the company’s registered office; and that they have been signed by or on behalf of directors.
    o full name, residential and postal addresses and the occupation of first directors and the company secretary

2.2 External Company Registration: An External Company is defined as a body corporate formed outside Malawi which establishes or maintains an established place of business in Malawi. ‘Established place of business’ entails fixed place of business except an agency unless the Agent has general authority to negotiate and conclude contracts on behalf of that body corporate or maintains a stock of its goods from which the Agent regularly fulfills orders on its behalf. An external company registration requires the following:

    1. Power of Attorney by an agent to represent the company for registration
    2. A duly authenticated (notarized) copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association
    3. A notarized Certificate of Incorporation issued by the registration Authority in the country of origin/incorporation.
    4. Notarized shareholder resolution authorization the opening of a branch or subsidiary in Malawi
    5. Authenticated copies of passport copies of shareholders
    6. List of directors’ resident in Malawi
    7. Registration fees for External Company Registration are MK100 for first MK1000 share capital value then MK10 for each additional MK2000 of share capital value. Or alternatively cal­culated as MK (Share Capital)x20 divided by 2000 plus MK500
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