Register your business yourselfLembetsani bizinesi yanu nokha
Registration is fully online on the Malawi Business Registration System (MBRS). You don't need an agent: this guide shows each step.Kulembetsa ndi pa intaneti kokha pa Malawi Business Registration System (MBRS). Simufunika wothandizira wolipidwa: kalozerayu akuwonetsani sitepe iliyonse.
6 quick questionsMafunso 6 achiduleAbout 2 minPafupifupi mphindi 2Official sourcesKuchokera ku magwero a bomaWorks offlineImagwira ntchito popanda intaneti
LanguageChilankhulo
The step-by-step quiz needs JavaScript. The full guide below has the same official information.Mafunso a sitepe ndi sitepe amafuna JavaScript. Chitsogozo chonse cha m'munsimu chili ndi zambiri zovomerezeka zomwezo.
Full guide: official fees, documents and stepsChitsogozo chonse: ndalama za boma, zikalata ndi masitepe
Ask Malawi is an independent guide, not a government website. Always confirm at the official source.Ask Malawi ndi kalozera wodziyimira payokha, osati tsamba la boma. Nthawi zonse tsimikizani ku gwero lovomerezeka.CRIPC services and feesNtchito ndi malipiro a CRIPC
Which structure fits you?Ndi mtundu uti woyenerera inu?
This is general information to help you choose, not legal advice. For your situation, ask CRIPC or a lawyer.Izi ndi zambiri zokuthandizani kusankha, osati malangizo a zamalamulo. Pa nkhani yanu, funsani CRIPC kapena loya.
Private limited companyKampani ya private limited
A company owned by 1 to 50 shareholders and run by at least one director.Kampani ya eni magawo 1 mpaka 50 yoyendetsedwa ndi wotsogolera m'modzi kapena kuposera.
In general, a company is a separate legal person: shareholders' risk is limited to their sharesKawirikawiri, kampani ndi munthu wosiyana mwalamulo: chiopsezo cha eni magawo chimakhala pa magawo awo
Easier to bring in shareholders (1 to 50)Zosavuta kulandira eni magawo (1 mpaka 50)
A single member company is possible if you are aloneKampani ya munthu m'modzi ilipo ngati muli nokha
Things to knowZoyenera kudziwa
Higher feeMalipiro okwera
More documents: Memorandum and Articles of Association and a statement of capitalZikalata zambiri: Memorandum and Articles of Association ndi chikalata cha chuma
Must file annual returns and keep company recordsMuyenera kupereka annual returns ndi kusunga zolemba za kampani
Readiness checklist: Mndandanda wokonzekera:
An MBRS account, opened with your National ID (citizens), Foreign Resident Permit (residents) or passport (visitors), and a working email addressAkaunti ya MBRS, yotsegulidwa ndi chiphaso chanu (nzika), Foreign Resident Permit (okhala kuno) kapena pasipoti (alendo), ndi imelo yogwira ntchito
A company name ending in 'Limited' or 'Ltd'Dzina la kampani lothera ndi 'Limited' kapena 'Ltd'
Shareholder and director details: 1 to 50 shareholders and at least one director who is a real personZambiri za eni magawo ndi otsogolera: eni magawo 1 mpaka 50 ndi wotsogolera m'modzi yemwe ndi munthu weniweni
The business's physical address and the nature of the businessAdilesi yeniyeni ya bizinesi ndi mtundu wa bizinesiyo
Memorandum and Articles of AssociationMemorandum ndi Articles of Association
A statement of capital: total shares, their value, classes of shares and whether they are paidChikalata cha chuma: magawo onse, mtengo wake, mitundu ya magawo ndi ngati alipiridwa
Every applicant signs the application (online)Wofunsira aliyense amasaina pempho (pa intaneti)
Business name: partnershipDzina la bizinesi: mgwirizano
2 to 20 partners trade together under a registered business name.Anthu 2 mpaka 20 amachita malonda pamodzi pansi pa dzina lolembetsedwa.
Low fee (higher if you attach a partnership agreement)Malipiro otsika (okwera pang'ono mukaphatikiza chikalata cha mgwirizano)
Share the work, skills and costsKugawana ntchito, luso ndi ndalama
Done fully online on MBRSKumachitika pa intaneti kokha pa MBRS
Things to knowZoyenera kudziwa
In general, partners are personally responsible for the business's debtsKawirikawiri, ochita mgwirizano ali ndi udindo pa ngongole za bizinesi
TPIN needed for one or each partnerTPIN ikufunika ya m'modzi kapena aliyense
A written partnership agreement is strongly advisable (not required)Chikalata cholembedwa cha mgwirizano ndi chabwino (sichokakamizidwa)
Readiness checklist: Mndandanda wokonzekera:
2 to 20 partners, with each partner's names, identification and address, and a TPIN for one or each partnerOchita mgwirizano 2 mpaka 20, ndi mayina, chizindikiritso ndi adilesi ya aliyense, ndi TPIN ya m'modzi kapena aliyense
An MBRS account, opened with your National ID (citizens), Foreign Resident Permit (residents) or passport (visitors), and a working email addressAkaunti ya MBRS, yotsegulidwa ndi chiphaso chanu (nzika), Foreign Resident Permit (okhala kuno) kapena pasipoti (alendo), ndi imelo yogwira ntchito
A unique business name, not similar to existing businesses, companies, trusts or trademarksDzina la bizinesi losiyana, losafanana ndi mabizinesi, makampani, ma trust kapena zizindikiro zomwe zilipo kale
The business's physical address and the nature of the businessAdilesi yeniyeni ya bizinesi ndi mtundu wa bizinesiyo
Every applicant signs the application (online)Wofunsira aliyense amasaina pempho (pa intaneti)
Business name: sole proprietorDzina la bizinesi: mwini m'modzi
You trade alone under a registered business name.Mumachita malonda nokha pansi pa dzina lolembetsedwa.
Lowest fee on CRIPC's siteMalipiro otsika kwambiri pa tsamba la CRIPC
Fewest details to enter: only youZambiri zochepa zolemba: inu nokha
Done fully online on MBRSKumachitika pa intaneti kokha pa MBRS
Things to knowZoyenera kudziwa
In general, a business name is not a separate legal person: you are personally responsible for the business's debtsKawirikawiri, dzina la bizinesi silikhala munthu wosiyana mwalamulo: inu nokha muli ndi udindo pa ngongole za bizinesi
You need a TPIN from MRA before you registerMufunika TPIN ya MRA musanalembetse
Harder to bring in investorsZovuta kulandira oika ndalama
Readiness checklist: Mndandanda wokonzekera:
A TPIN from the Malawi Revenue Authority, before you registerTPIN yochokera ku Malawi Revenue Authority, musanalembetse
An MBRS account, opened with your National ID (citizens), Foreign Resident Permit (residents) or passport (visitors), and a working email addressAkaunti ya MBRS, yotsegulidwa ndi chiphaso chanu (nzika), Foreign Resident Permit (okhala kuno) kapena pasipoti (alendo), ndi imelo yogwira ntchito
A unique business name, not similar to existing businesses, companies, trusts or trademarksDzina la bizinesi losiyana, losafanana ndi mabizinesi, makampani, ma trust kapena zizindikiro zomwe zilipo kale
The business's physical address and the nature of the businessAdilesi yeniyeni ya bizinesi ndi mtundu wa bizinesiyo
Every applicant signs the application (online)Wofunsira aliyense amasaina pempho (pa intaneti)
MBRS step by stepMBRS sitepe ndi sitepe
Step 1Sitepe 1: Get your TPIN from MRA (free)Tengani TPIN ku MRA (kwaulere)
What you'll seeZomwe mudzaone:MRA's Msonkho Online: 'TIN Application', then 'Register Now'.Msonkho Online ya MRA: 'TIN Application', kenako 'Register Now'.
What to enterZoti mulembe:Your email, a password, then your personal, contact, address, ID and occupation details.Imelo, mawu achinsinsi, kenako zambiri zanu, njira zokufikirani, adilesi, chiphaso ndi ntchito.
Common mistakesZolakwika zomwe zimachitika:
Using an email address you can't open: MRA sends a confirmation link.Kugwiritsa ntchito imelo yomwe simungatsegule: MRA imatumiza ulalo wotsimikizira.
Step 2Sitepe 2: Create your MBRS accountTsegulani akaunti ya MBRS
What you'll seeZomwe mudzaone:A sign-up form asking for your identity document and email.Fomu yolembetsa yofunsa chikalata chanu ndi imelo.
What to enterZoti mulembe:National ID (citizens), Foreign Resident Permit (residents) or passport (visitors), and an email address you use.Chiphaso (nzika), Foreign Resident Permit (okhala kuno) kapena pasipoti (alendo), ndi imelo yomwe mumagwiritsa ntchito.
Common mistakesZolakwika zomwe zimachitika:
Typing your names differently from your National ID.Kulemba mayina mosiyana ndi a pa chiphaso.
Step 4Sitepe 4: Fill in the applicationDzazani pempho
What you'll seeZomwe mudzaone:The application form for your business type.Fomu ya pempho ya mtundu wa bizinesi yanu.
What to enterZoti mulembe:Business address and activities; partners' or shareholders' and directors' details; for a company, the Memorandum and Articles and the statement of capital.Adilesi ndi ntchito za bizinesi; zambiri za ochita mgwirizano kapena eni magawo ndi otsogolera; pa kampani, Memorandum and Articles ndi chikalata cha chuma.
Common mistakesZolakwika zomwe zimachitika:
Leaving out a partner's TPIN, or a director who is a real person.Kusiya TPIN ya wochita mgwirizano, kapena wotsogolera yemwe ndi munthu weniweni.
Step 5Sitepe 5: Sign and pay onlineSainani ndi kulipira pa intaneti
What you'll seeZomwe mudzaone:A signature step and a payment page.Gawo losaina ndi tsamba lolipira.
What to enterZoti mulembe:Your online signature (every applicant signs), then mobile money, a debit or credit card, or online banking.Siginecha yanu ya pa intaneti (wofunsira aliyense amasaina), kenako mobile money, khadi la debit kapena credit, kapena banki ya pa intaneti.
Common mistakesZolakwika zomwe zimachitika:
Paying anyone outside MBRS: pay only through the portal and keep the receipt.Kulipira wina aliyense kunja kwa MBRS: lipirani pa tsambali kokha ndipo sungani lisiti.
Step 6Sitepe 6: Get your certificateLandirani satifiketi
What you'll seeZomwe mudzaone:Email and SMS updates, then your result as a PDF.Mauthenga a imelo ndi SMS, kenako zotsatira ngati PDF.
What to enterZoti mulembe:Nothing: download and keep the PDF safe.Palibe: tsitsani ndi kusunga PDF bwino.
Common mistakesZolakwika zomwe zimachitika:
Not checking the details on the certificate straight away.Kusayang'ana zambiri za pa satifiketi nthawi yomweyo.
After you registerMukalembetsa
Companies must file annual returns with the Registrar, keep accurate records, pay taxes through MRA, and update MBRS when details change.Makampani ayenera kupereka annual returns kwa Registrar, kusunga zolemba bwino, kulipira msonkho kudzera ku MRA, ndi kusintha MBRS zinthu zikasintha.CRIPC does not publish the annual return deadline or fee on its site. Check the due date in your MBRS account.CRIPC sinafalitse tsiku lomaliza kapena malipiro a annual return pa tsamba lake. Onani tsikulo mu akaunti yanu ya MBRS.
Partnerships declare and pay taxes through MRA, update MBRS through amendments, and renew licences or permits as required.Mgwirizano umapereka ndi kulipira msonkho kudzera ku MRA, kusintha MBRS kudzera mu amendments, ndi kukonzanso ma laisensi kapena ma permit ngati kukufunika.CRIPC does not publish a renewal period for business names. Check your MBRS account.CRIPC sinafalitse nthawi yokonzanso mayina a bizinesi. Onani akaunti yanu ya MBRS.
Updating beneficial owner details is a listed amendment for companies; companies limited by guarantee must give beneficial ownership information when registering.Kusintha zambiri za eni enieni ndi amendment yolembedwa kwa makampani; makampani a limited by guarantee ayenera kupereka zambiri za eni enieni polembetsa.
CRIPC's sole-proprietor steps say K10,000 (K20,000 if an agreement is attached). The wording matches the partnership text, so confirm on MBRS before paying.Njira za CRIPC za mwini m'modzi zikuti K10,000 (K20,000 ngati mwaphatikiza mgwirizano). Mawuwa ndi ofanana ndi a mgwirizano wa anthu angapo, choncho tsimikizani pa MBRS musanalipire.
We could not open the official document for this amount. Confirm it before you pay.Sitinathe kutsegula chikalata chovomerezeka cha ndalamayi. Itsimikizeni musanalipire.
Business name registration, partnership (no partnership agreement)Kulembetsa dzina la bizinesi, mgwirizano (popanda chikalata cha mgwirizano)K10,000
Official fees are listed above. Pay only through official channels and always ask for a receipt. Report requests for unofficial payments to the Anti-Corruption Bureau.Malipiro ovomerezeka alembedwa pamwambapa. Lipirani kudzera m'njira zovomerezeka zokha ndipo nthawi zonse funsani lisiti. Nenani kwa Anti-Corruption Bureau ngati wina akupemphani ndalama zosavomerezeka.
113 is toll-free. WhatsApp: +265 999 682 053. Head office phone in ACB's 2026 compliance report: +265 1 777 166. Offices also in Blantyre, Mzuzu and Zomba.113 ndi yaulere. WhatsApp: +265 999 682 053. Foni ya likulu mu lipoti la ACB la 2026: +265 1 777 166. Maofesi alinso ku Blantyre, Mzuzu ndi Zomba.
How much does it cost to register a business in Malawi?Kodi kulembetsa bizinesi ku Malawi kumalipira ndalama zingati?
Business name registration, sole proprietor: K10,000; Business name registration, partnership (no partnership agreement): K10,000; Private limited company registration: K75,000; Single member company registration: K75,000; Company limited by guarantee registration: K75,000; Public limited company registration: K500,000; TPIN (tax registration): Free. Pay only on MBRS.Kulembetsa dzina la bizinesi, mwini m'modzi: K10,000; Kulembetsa dzina la bizinesi, mgwirizano (popanda chikalata cha mgwirizano): K10,000; Kulembetsa kampani ya private limited: K75,000; Kulembetsa kampani ya munthu m'modzi: K75,000; Kulembetsa kampani ya limited by guarantee: K75,000; Kulembetsa kampani ya public limited: K500,000; TPIN (kulembetsa msonkho): Kwaulere. Lipirani pa MBRS kokha.
Can I register my business online without an agent?Kodi ndingalembetse bizinesi yanga pa intaneti popanda wothandizira?
Registration is fully online on the Malawi Business Registration System (MBRS). You don't need an agent: this guide shows each step.Kulembetsa ndi pa intaneti kokha pa Malawi Business Registration System (MBRS). Simufunika wothandizira wolipidwa: kalozerayu akuwonetsani sitepe iliyonse.
Which business structure should I choose?Kodi ndisankhe mtundu uti wa bizinesi?
Private limited company: A company owned by 1 to 50 shareholders and run by at least one director. Business name: partnership: 2 to 20 partners trade together under a registered business name. Business name: sole proprietor: You trade alone under a registered business name.Kampani ya private limited: Kampani ya eni magawo 1 mpaka 50 yoyendetsedwa ndi wotsogolera m'modzi kapena kuposera. Dzina la bizinesi: mgwirizano: Anthu 2 mpaka 20 amachita malonda pamodzi pansi pa dzina lolembetsedwa. Dzina la bizinesi: mwini m'modzi: Mumachita malonda nokha pansi pa dzina lolembetsedwa.
Do I need to file annual returns after registering?Kodi ndiyenera kupereka annual returns nditalembetsa?
Companies must file annual returns with the Registrar, keep accurate records, pay taxes through MRA, and update MBRS when details change.Makampani ayenera kupereka annual returns kwa Registrar, kusunga zolemba bwino, kulipira msonkho kudzera ku MRA, ndi kusintha MBRS zinthu zikasintha.
Is Ask Malawi a government website?Kodi Ask Malawi ndi webusayiti ya boma?
Ask Malawi is an independent guide, not a government website. Always confirm at the official source.Ask Malawi ndi kalozera wodziyimira payokha, osati tsamba la boma. Nthawi zonse tsimikizani ku gwero lovomerezeka.
Privacy: no account, no tracking. Everything you tick or type stays on this phone or computer and is never sent anywhere.Chinsinsi: palibe akaunti, palibe kutsatira. Chilichonse chimene mwasankha kapena kulemba chimakhala pa foni kapena kompyuta iyi ndipo sichitumizidwa kulikonse.