Apply In-Person

1. The issuance of all Trading License, this includes that of a Food Business Operator (FBO), has been decentralized to the Town or District Council commercial affairs offices (local authorities offices) by the Department of Trade and Consumer Affairs office, which is under the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry. Local Authorities offices Location & Contact Details
2. Interest applicants are required to collect and complete the Application Form for Trade License, available at the inquiries desk at any of the Town or District Council commercial affairs offices across the country or directly download it using this link – Application Form for Trade License
3. Applicants will be required to book an appointment with the health inspector and Physical planners at the District Council office, within the business jurisdiction for a premise visit. The time required for the physical planner and health inspectors to inspect and issue reports can vary from one day to 1–3 weeks (if applicable).
4. If the inspector/planner is satisfied with the finding will complete the reports and the client will be issued with an original certified copy of the environmental health report and a zoning report from the physical planner for the business premises in question.
5. If any modification or upgrading is required, the Corrective Action and Preventive Action Report (CAPA) report will be issued and the client will be required to rectify the problem.
6. Upon successful implementation of the CAPA, a follow-up inspection may be conducted by the health inspector/ physical planner to ascertain the effectiveness of the implementation (where applicable).
7. The applicant will be required to submit the following certified supporting documentation, in addition to the duly completed application form in all respect to the permit-issuing unit at the District Council office within the business premises jurisdiction. Any omission of these documents will render the registration process incomplete.
   • The original or certified copy of the physical planner's report validating zoning for the plot upon which the activities will occur.
   • An occupation permit or a copy of the title deed showing the land use or change of use will suffice.
   • Health inspector’s report certifying that the premises comply with public and environmental health standards.
   • Certified copies of the latest annual returns from the Registrar of Companies & Intellectual Property (RCOIP). Where annual returns are not available, such as the case of a newly registered company, forms showing directors' allotment of shares and share certificates should be provided.
   • A copy of the certificate of incorporation for a company,( If the applicant is a business)
   • A copy of the Registration certificate. (If the applicant is an individual or a partnership)
   • Proof of availability of business premises (either a lease, title, or deed).
   • A letter indicating the official company representative including, the representative's, certified copy of Omang (citizens), and work and residence permits (non-citizens).
   • Certified copies of valid passport (non-citizens), work and resident permits for shareholders residing in Botswana, or certified copies of valid Omang (citizens).
   • Any other information document that may be requested by the Authority.
8. Upon receipt of the application file, the license issuing officer will verify if all the necessary information and documentation has been provided and that the applications comply with the selection criteria before registering the application file for assessment and consideration by the licensing committed, which meet weekly to process all applications lodged.
9. The client will be advised by the license issuing officer to pay the applicable processing fee of BWP 100.00 (Non-refundable), at the cash counter and obtain a receipt.
10. Applicants will be issued with an acknowledgment slip as the proof of submission of the application.
11. Upon notification of the approval by the licensing committee, the license issuing officer will draw up the license as directed by the licensing committee using Trading License Form 2 and present it to a senior officer to be certified (signed/stamp) and made available to be issued to the client.
12. The time frame for processing the application at the Town or District Council commercial affairs offices (local authorities offices) is five (5) working days.
13. The applicant will be required to produce a proof of identity document and the acknowledgment slip and issued with Trade License Annual Fees – Payment Form to complete and pay the prescribed annual license fee of BWP 1000.00, while collecting the License, at the specific office where the application was lodged. Copies of these forms are available at any Town or District Council commercial affairs offices or directly download it using this link: Trade License Annual Fees – Payment Form
14. The Food Business Operator permit/license shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Licensing Committee deems fit to impose in each case, and such terms and conditions or requirements shall be endorsed on the permit/License.
    

• Duly completed Application Form for Trade License
• Duly completed Trade License Annual Fees – Payment Form
• If the applicant is a business, a copy of the certificate of incorporation.
• If the applicant is an individual or a partnership, submit a certified registration certificate.
• The latest copy of the annual returns forms, obtained from the Registrar of Companies and Intellectual Property.
• Proof of availability of the business premises (either a title deed or a written lease agreement).
• A certified copy of a valid National Identity card (Omang) for owners, shareholders, or directors who are citizens.
• Certified copy of passport for owners, shareholders, or directors who are non-citizens.
• The original or certified copy of the physical planner's report validating zoning for the plot upon which the activities will occur
• The original or a certified copy of the environmental health report for the business premises in question.
  

Department of Trade and Consumer Affairs
(Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry)
Plot 54380 
Central Business District (CBD) 
Private Bag 00252
Gaborone
Tel. (+267) 3911233
Fax. (+267) 3975239

Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry
Private Bag 004
Gaborone
Botswana
Plot 54380,
Central Business District
Tel. (+267) 3601200
Fax (+267) 3971539
Email. mitipru@gov.bw
Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry Office Location & Contact Details, Local Authorities offices Location & Contact Details
Opening hours are from 07:30 to 16:30, Monday to Friday, except for public holidays.

Citizens and non-citizens who are above the age of eighteen (18) years and registered businesses, qualify to apply.

Fees for the initial application are as follows;

• The non-refundable processing fee is BWP 100.00 (non-refundable).
• The Annual license fee is BWP 1000.00.
  

• The license shall be valid for one year from the date of issue unless suspended, cancelled, or revoked by the Authority.
• The license is renewed annually, advisable a week before the expiration date of the current license.
  

• Application Form for Trade License
  
• Trade License Annual Fees – Payment Form
  

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

The time frame for processing the application at the Town or District Council commercial affairs offices (local authorities offices) is five (5) working days.

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites.
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is dkisplayed.
e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Please provide other instructions related to the certificate/documents.
e.g. The state office holds birth records since January 1908.

PROPOSED BUSINESS

• Type of business/license applied for
• Location of the proposed business
  

PARTICULARS OF APPLICANT

• For Business names Name and Address Business Name
• Registered Name of Company
• The trading name of the company is different from
• Percentage share of citizen equity holding
• Particulars of all shareholders  ( Name/Nationality/ Address/  % Share in Equity holding)
• Level of Investment (Capital to be invested in the business) (Capital Investment/Assets)
• Anticipated number of employee
  

PARTICULARS OF LAND PREMISSES

• Plot No. or Land board Certificate No
• Date of Plot Allocation
• Is the plot zoned commercial or Industrial?
• If the premises are leased, state the name of the owner
• Size of premises (sq.m of floor space)
• Have your premises been inspected and certified suitable by the Environmental Health Unit of the Council
  

RESIDENCE AND WORK PERMITS (FOR NON CITIZEN APPLICANTS ONLY)

• Date of expiry of Residence permit
• Date of Expiry of work permit
  

APPLICANT DECLARATION

• Date of submission of the application
  

Individuals or companies must obtain a Food Business Operator trade license to sell food/ beverages or offer restaurant/ food café services in Botswana

Enter other information which might help.

Please explain what are other uses for obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

• Trade License Application
  
• Trade Amendment Regulation- 2016
  

More information which might help people.