29/04/2025
HOW TO REGISTER A CO-OPERATIVE IN ZAMBIA
Organise your selves in a group of ten or more persons or two or more societies wishing to form a co-operative society.
Once you have met the number of formations, conduct a general meeting and let the agenda of the meeting be in line with agreeing on forming the cooperative society.
Conduct an election, electing the cooperative officials
As a group, make the cooperative by-laws (constitution) and have it printed.
Visit the District cooperative office to obtain the letter of approval of the cooperation society formation.
Go to the Patent and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) to obtain the application form for registration as a co-operative society in person
Fill the application form accordingly and attach all the required documents mentioned in
“Required Documents” section below.
With the complete application, visit the Patent and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) office or any district Council office in your region to submit your application.
Pay the registration fee and submit your application for verification by the assisting officer who will ascertain your application, if it meets all the requirements.
Once the application has been verified, it will be forward to the registrar for approval as per the Co-operative Societies Act, Cap 397.
If the Registrar approves the application for registration, he will issue a certificate of registration together with a copy of the by-laws certified by him as having been duly approved and registered.
NOTE: Where the application is made by two or more societies, at least two duly authorized officers of each society shall sign the application which shall be accompanied by the resolution of each society concerned approving the application for registration.