PACRA registered 46,221 new business entities in 2025
The Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) has reported exceptional performance for the 2025 financial year, exceeding its annual non-tax revenue target by 34 percent.
According to PACRA's 2025 annual report, the agency registered 46,221 new business entities during the year 2025, adding that this included 25,733 business names and 20,488 companies, with company registrations surpassing the annual target by 7 percent and growing 12.5 percent compared to 2024.
The report said that increased business formalization remains critical for job creation, broadening the tax base, and helping entrepreneurs access financing and markets, noting that compliance also improved, with 123,127 annual returns filed.
The 2025 report revealed that Registration activity was highest in wholesale and retail trade, agriculture, construction, and financial services, showing sustained participation in key sectors of the economy.
The agency also collected K156.25 million against a budget of K116.56 million, creating a favorable variance of K39.69 million, stating that this was also K9.11 million higher than in 2024, reflecting improved operational efficiency and resilience.
The report further revealed that robust commercial revenue drove the strong out-turn, reaching K138.1 million (41 percent) above target, stressing that in intellectual property services, PACRA recorded 3,655 trademark applications, hitting 99 percent of its target.
Industrial design applications reached 204, exceeding the target by 43 percent, saying that Patent and copyright filings remained stable but slightly below projections.
The results show continued stakeholder confidence in Zambia’s IP system and incremental growth in business formalization and IP protection, saying digital transformation was a major focus in 2025.
The agency upgraded its call centre system, established disaster recovery infrastructure, and finalized plans to redevelop the Business and Beneficial Ownership Register with funding from GIZ.
The report disclosed that these upgrades improved turnaround times, accessibility, and alignment with the government’s digital agenda. Awareness and sensitization programs were also held across schools, universities, and trade fairs to promote IP protection and business formalization.
Looking ahead, PACRA will undertake a terminal review of its current strategic plan and develop a new five-year strategy aligned to national priorities.
The Board also approved key policies in 2025, including the Workplace Harassment Policy and HIV and AIDS Policy, to strengthen staff welfare and accountability.
Posted by Vivanews
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