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 Winding up a business

Winding up a business

Business are wound up voluntarily or involuntarily. Either case has specific procedures as under:

Grounds for removal from the Register of Companies (Section 348)

     The Registrar shall remove a company from the register of companies where:

  1. The company is an amalgamating company, other than an amalgamated company, on the day on which the Registrar issues a certificate of amalgamation under this Act; or
  2. The Registrar is satisfied that -
  • the company has ceased to carry on business; and
  • there is no other reason for the company to continue in existence; or
  • the company has been put into liquidation
  • The Registrar receives a request, in a form approved by him, from a shareholder or directors (if permitted by the Constitution)

Removal on request of shareholder or director

A request that a company be removed from the register [on request from shareholders or directors] under subsection (1) (d) may be made on the grounds:

  1. That the company has ceased to carry on business, has discharged in full its liabilities to all its known creditors, and has distributed its surplus assets in accordance with its constitution and this Act; or
  2. That the company has no surplus assets after paying its debts in full or in part, and no creditor has applied to the Court for an order putting the company into liquidation.

A request that a company be removed from the register under subsection (1)(d) shall be accompanied by a written notice from the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) stating that there is no objection to the company being removed from the register.

Removal on amalgamation

Two or more companies may amalgamate, and continue as one company, which may be one of the amalgamating companies, or may be a new company incorporated under the Companies Act 2013 (the Act). The company or companies no longer in existence must be removed on the day on which the Registrar issues a certificate of amalgamation. The amalgamated company will continue with the assets and liabilities of the other amalgamating company or companies (section 266(1)(b) of the Act.

Removal by Registrar

The Registrar shall not remove a company from the register under subsection (1)(b) unless:

  1. The Registrar has issued a notice; and
  2. The company has satisfied the Registrar that it is carrying on business or that reasons exist for the company to continue in existence
  3. Under section 348(1)(b) of the Companies Act 1993 (the Act), if the Registrar can be satisfied that the company has ceased to carry on business and that there is no other reason for the company to continue in existence then she may remove the company from the register.
  4. The most common scenario section 348(1)(b) is when an annual return has not been filed.
  5. An annual return confirms the address, director, shareholder and share details for your company. 
  6. It is a legal requirement of the Act and the director’s responsibility to ensure that it is filed in the month it is due. If one fails to file their company’s annual return the Registrar will assume the company has ceased trading and will advertise the company for removal from the register.

Removal in liquidation

The Registrar shall not remove a company from the register under subsection (1) (c) or (e) unless –

  1. The Registrar is satisfied that notice of intention to remove the company from the register has been given under section 349; and
  2. The Registrar:
    1. Is satisfied that no person has objected to the removal under section 349; or
    2. where an objection to the removal has been received, has complied with section 350.
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