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More than 9,100 new companies were registered in Zambia between January and May 2026, marking a seven percent increase over the same period in 2025 as transport and information and communication technology (ICT) businesses led new incorporations.
The Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) registered 9,163 companies during the first five months of 2026, exceeding its target of 8,972 by two percent. During the corresponding period last year, the agency registered 8,551 companies.
In a statement issued on Friday, PACRA Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Benson Mpalo, said the transportation and storage sector recorded the highest growth, with company registrations increasing by 17 percent as demand for logistics, freight, courier, warehousing and transport services expanded.
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“Information and communication sector followed with 16 percent growth, reflecting increased investment in information technology, telecommunications, software development, digital marketing and media services,” he said.
Other sectors that recorded notable growth included real estate at 13.9 percent, construction at 13.7 percent and finance and insurance activities at 6.7 percent.
Meanwhile, PACRA registered 10,104 business names during the review period, representing 86.6 percent of its target of 11,667.
Mpalo said the agency was continuing to implement measures aimed at encouraging business formalisation, particularly among micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
The agency also recorded improved compliance with statutory filing requirements, with company annual return filings reaching 121.6 percent of target, while business name annual return filings stood at 121 percent.
Mpalo attributed the higher compliance levels to the publication of lists of non-compliant companies and business names earmarked for possible deregistration under the Companies Act and the Registration of Business Names Act.
“The improved compliance had strengthened the integrity of the national business register while contributing to increased Government revenue collection,” he said.
In the area of intellectual property, trademark applications increased by 59 percent compared with the same period in 2025, while trademark renewals rose by 46 percent.
Copyright registrations also exceeded the agency’s target by 154 percent, a development Mr Mpalo attributed to growing awareness among businesses, innovators and creators of the importance of protecting intellectual property.
Mpalo said PACRA would continue implementing reforms to simplify business registration and intellectual property administration through digital transformation, enhanced stakeholder engagement and improved service delivery aimed at reducing the cost and time of doing business.
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