Co-Operative Registration

To register as a customer for primary, secondary, and tertiary co-operative click here

You may also follow a step-by-step guide.

To register as a customer for conversion  and maintenance of a co-operative click here

Co-operative registration only accepts Card payment method

NB: Funds deposited into customer code will not be accepted. 

• Before registering a co-operative, a formation meeting needs to be held with all persons that are interested in establishing the co-operative
• The chairperson outlines the aims and objectives of the proposed co-operative
• The chairperson answers all the arising questions
• The chairperson invites everyone to join
• Those interested should be given an application form for Membership to complete
• The persons that have completed the above-mentioned application form decide how many persons will be required to manage the co-operative
• The members will then elect the board of directors (the board of directors will be the management or steering committee of the co-operative)

 Also discuss and agree on the following:

• The objectives (exactly what the co-operative will do)
• The equipment, premises and other materials needed by the enterprise
• Where will the premises (co-operative office) be located
• How will the co-operative be financed? How will the funds be obtained?
• Draw-up an initial business plan
• Choose a name for the co-operative (propose and choose alternative names).

Appointment of Board of Directors

The founding members must elect the board of directors. The board of directors will elect the Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer.

Section 3: A co-operative must comply with co-operatives principles.  E.G VOTING RIGHTS (ONE MEMBER ONE VOTE PRINCIPLE)

Category A and B primary co-ops, each member has only one vote

• Members of Category C, primary co-op, secondary, tertiary, or the national apex, however, have additional voting rights.
• The existing voting rights contained in Category Cs constitutions of primary, secondary, and tertiary co-operative shall remain in force.
• All co-operatives must comply with the prescribed principle of good governance.

The constitution of a co-operative is the document which contains all the rules for how the co-operative should be structured and managed. The constitution should include:

• Official document – Procedures and Regulations in the Constitution
• Meetings
• Membership
• General Matters
• The Annual General Meeting (AGM)
• The Board of Directors
• Decision making
• Management
• Finances
• Any other rules that agree with the Co-operative principles

Every member has to read the constitution of the Co-operative carefully and understand all the regulations in it.  Alternatively, the Board of Directors must explain all the rules of the constitution to the members and ensure that they understand them.

The constitution of the co-operative must be signed by all members and must be submitted with the application.

Model constitutions for co-operatives:

• Model Constitution for Primary Agricultural Co-operatives
• Model Constitution for Primary Non-Specific Co-operatives
• Model Constitution for Primary Housing Co-operatives
• Model Constitution for Primary Worker Co-operatives
• Model Constitution for Secondary Co-operatives
• Model Constitution for Housing Primary Co-operative
• Model Constitution for Tertiary Co-operatives
• Model Constitution for Financial Co-operative
• Model Constitution for Social Co-operative

(a) Primary Co-operative an application to register a primary co-op must be made by a minimum of –

(i) Five natural persons

(ii) Two juristic persons

(iii) A combination of any five persons

(b) A secondary co-operative must be formed by two or more operational primary co-operatives.

(c) A tertiary co-operative must be formed by two or more operational secondary co-operatives.

(d) National Apex co-operative must be formed by – three operational sectoral tertiary co-operative that operates on a national level and five operational multi-sectoral tertiary co-operatives that operated on a provincial, district, or local level.

N.B Operational means a co-operative that has held its annual general meeting and has submitted its annual report, audited report, or independent reviewed report to the registrar in its financial year.

To register a Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Co-operative click here.

An application to register a co-operative must be made by-

• For a Primary, a minimum of five natural persons; or two juristic persons; or a combination of any five persons.
• For a Secondary, a minimum of two operational primary co-operatives
• For a tertiary, a minimum of two operational secondary co-operatives
• For a National Apex, a minimum of three operational sectoral tertiary co-operatives that operate on a national level; and five operational multi-sectoral tertiary co-operatives that operate on a provincial, district or local level.

Operational means a Co-operative that has held its annual general meeting and has submitted its annual report audited report or independent reviewed report as applicable to the registrar in its last financial year.

• Step by step by guide for Primary Co-operative
• Step by step by guide for Secondary Co-operative
• Step by step guide for Tertiary Co-operative :

Note: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Co-operative registration accept card payment method only.