Zambia is increasingly attractive to foreign investors — a stable political environment, growing sectors like mining, agriculture, and tech, and no requirement for local ownership. But registering a company as a non-Zambian comes with a few extra steps beyond the standard process. Here’s what to expect.
Do You Need A Zambian Partner Or Shareholder?
No. Foreign nationals can own a Zambian company entirely, with no minimum local shareholding required in most sectors. A small number of cases — very low-investment ventures, or businesses requiring a long-term land lease — can trigger local shareholding considerations, so it’s worth checking your specific situation, but for the vast majority of foreign investors, 100% ownership is the norm.
Do You Need A Zambian Director?
This is where most foreign investors get caught out — ownership and directorship are not the same thing. While you don’t need a local shareholder, Zambian law does require a portion of your board to be resident in Zambia (not necessarily Zambian citizens — just living in the country). The exact requirement differs depending on whether you’re incorporating a new local company or registering a branch of an existing foreign company, and branches have the added requirement of designating a local chairman among their resident directors. Sorting this out early avoids delays at the registration stage.
Step 1: Decide How You Want To Operate
Foreign investors generally choose one of two routes:
- Register a new Zambian company — a fresh, locally incorporated entity, fully owned by you or your foreign business
- Register a branch of an existing foreign company — an extension of a company already incorporated abroad, operating in Zambia under that same legal identity
The right choice depends on your existing structure and long-term plans, so it’s worth getting advice before you commit to one.
Step 2: Reserve Your Company Name
As with any registration, you’ll submit your proposed company names to PACRA for clearance and reservation before moving forward.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
This is where the foreign process differs most. In addition to the standard registration documents, you’ll typically need:
- Certified copies of passports for all directors, shareholders, and secretaries
- A Statement of Beneficial Ownership — full names, dates of birth, nationality, country of residence, and residential address for anyone with a controlling interest
- For branches specifically: your Certificate of Incorporation from your home country, and your company’s constitutional documents (charter, statutes, or equivalent)
- If registering a branch, a resident Zambian documentary agent — a locally based authorized contact for PACRA correspondence. This person is not a director or shareholder, simply your official point of contact in-country
Step 4: Submit To PACRA
Your application is submitted to PACRA for review. Processing is generally quick once everything is complete and accurate — most delays come from missing documents or unclear beneficial ownership details, not the process itself.
Step 5: Receive Your Certificate Of Incorporation Or Registration
Once approved, PACRA issues your certificate — the document you’ll need for tax registration, banking, and every other institution you deal with in Zambia.
Step 6: Register For A TPIN And Set Up Tax Compliance
You’ll need a Taxpayer Identification Number from the Zambia Revenue Authority before you can open a bank account or register for any tax type, including VAT if your turnover exceeds the threshold.
Step 7: Register As An Employer (If You’re Hiring Locally)
If you plan to employ staff in Zambia, you’re required to register with NAPSA and WCFCB for pension contributions and workers’ compensation cover.
Should You Get A ZDA Investment License?
Beyond PACRA registration, most foreign investors also apply for an Investment Certificate of Registration — commonly called a ZDA license — from the Zambia Development Agency. It’s a separate step from company registration, and it’s what unlocks incentives like duty exemptions and tax concessions on qualifying investments. It’s not always strictly mandatory, but for any serious foreign-owned operation, it’s the standard move and well worth doing alongside your PACRA registration.
Step 8: Work Permits And Immigration
If you or other foreign directors intend to live and work in Zambia rather than manage the business remotely, you’ll also need to sort out the appropriate work and residence permits — a separate process from company registration itself.
Setting Up From Abroad Shouldn’t Mean Extra Delays
Foreign registration involves more paperwork and more places things can go wrong — from finding a documentary agent to getting beneficial ownership declarations right. SupplyPro Registration Services manages the entire process on your behalf, so you can set up in Zambia with confidence, wherever you’re starting from.
[Make An Appointment] or [Chat With Us On WhatsApp] to get your Zambian company set up the right way.