Help & Support helps you use the online service and reach OBFC. This page explains your choices and the law.
START HERE
Choose your path
Two short comparisons before you register anything.
YOUR BUSINESS TYPE
Your business type, explained
One guide per type: what it is, how to register it, what you receive.
Sole proprietor
You are the business: register in your own name.
Private company
The everyday company: what it is and how to register it.
Public company
For companies that may offer shares to the public.
Non-profit company
A company that serves a purpose, not profit.
External company
A foreign company opening a branch in Lesotho.
GOING FURTHER
Special topics
Four subjects that cut across company types.
Preferred shares
Shares with special rights, and how the form records them.
Beneficial owners
NewWho really owns or controls your company, and what you record.
Recover a Business ID
Coming soonFor a sole proprietor: your business is not on your dashboard, and how you bring it back.
Recover a licence
Coming soonFor a sole proprietor: your licence is not on your dashboard, and how you bring it back.
THE LAW
The official texts
The full legal texts, article by article, for reference.
Companies Act 2011
The main law on starting and running a company.
Companies Regulations 2012
Detailed rules that support the Companies Act.
Beneficial Ownership Regulations 2024
The rules behind the beneficial owners guide.
Business Licensing and Registration Act 2019
The Business ID law: who must register an activity.
Business Licensing and Registration Regulations 2020
Detailed rules under the 2019 Act.