Are you a group of people looking to work together to improve your livelihoods or do business as a team? A co-operative society is a great way to do it — and Zimbabwean law fully supports you. But how do you go about registering one officially?

Let’s break it down into simple steps.

✅ Step 1: Gather Your People

To start a primary co-operative society, you need at least 10 people. These should be individuals who share a common goal — for example, farming, fishing, sewing, trading, or any other business idea.

If you have fewer than 10 people, don’t worry — the Registrar can still allow you to go ahead if there are good reasons.

✅ Step 2: Form a Formation Committee

This is the team that will guide the process. The formation committee:

• Plans the purpose and goals of the co-operative.

• Teaches potential members about how co-ops work.

• Helps identify who can become a member.

• Figures out what contributions members will make (money, labour, or savings).

• Does a feasibility study — a simple investigation to check if the business idea will work.

• Prepares draft by-laws (rules for running the co-op).

• Starts working on the official application for registration.

This is a very important stage because it lays the foundation.

✅ Step 3: Prepare for Registration

Now that you have a formation committee and a clear plan, it’s time to apply to the Registrar of Co-operative Societies. Here's what you need to include in your application:

1. Application form – Signed by at least 10 founding members.

2. Draft by-laws – These are the rules the co-op will follow (you’ll need 3 copies).

3. Meeting records – Minutes from the meetings you’ve held to form the co-op.

4. Feasibility study and work plan – Show how your co-op will operate and succeed.

5. Application fee – Paid to the Central Fund.

The Registrar may also ask for more information, like:

• Why the co-op is needed in your area.

• How well members understand co-op values and principles.

• Whether you have enough money or resources to begin operations.

• Whether you’ve tried to connect with other co-operatives or support organisations.

✅ Step 4: Hold a Preliminary Meeting (If Required)

Sometimes, before final approval, the Registrar will ask you to hold a preliminary meeting. In this meeting:

• Members review and adopt the by-laws.

• A provisional management committee is elected to lead the co-op during its early days.

This step makes sure all members are involved and agree on how the co-op will operate.

✅ Step 5: Registrar Reviews and Approves

Once all documents are in and requirements are met, the Registrar will:

• Enter your co-op into the official Register of Co-operative Societies.

• Assign your co-op a name that must include the word “co-operative” and end with “limited”.

• Give you either provisional or full registration.

Once registered, your co-operative is a legal entity and can begin operations officially!

✅ Bonus Tip: Open for Inspection

The Register of Co-operative Societies is public. Anyone can go and inspect it (during working hours) to check the details of any registered co-operative — for a small fee.

💡 In Summary – What You Need to Start a Primary Co-operative:

🙌 Ready to Begin?

Co-operatives are about people helping each other and working as a team to grow stronger financially and socially. If you have an idea and a committed group, the law is on your side.

To get help, visit your nearest Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, or contact a co-operative officer for guidance.