The Business and Intellectual Property Authority, BIPA has extended its 2026 annual penalty waiver programme to 31 December, giving business owners additional time to address outstanding compliance issues and avoid accumulated penalties.

Introduced in July 2023, the programme aims to help business owners understand and meet their ongoing legal obligations, which go beyond registering a business and securing a business name.

Registering a business is only the first step towards operating legally, business owners must also submit annual returns, pay applicable duties and disclose beneficial ownership information to maintain compliance.

BIPA's Acting Executive for Marketing, Corporate Communications and Client Services, Romancia Nyandoro, says the introduction of a certificate of good standing is intended to verify compliance and help businesses access opportunities.

Registering a business is only the first step towards operating legally, business owners must also submit annual returns, pay applicable duties and disclose beneficial ownership information to maintain compliance.

BIPA's Acting Executive for Marketing, Corporate Communications and Client Services, Romancia Nyandoro, says the introduction of a certificate of good standing is intended to verify compliance and help businesses access opportunities.