Before you apply to council, you must first register your business with PACRA (Patents and Companies Registration Agency) and obtain a ZRA TPIN (tax identification number) from the Zambia Revenue Authority. A council licence does not replace these; it sits on top of them.
Apply to your council for trading authorisation by visiting the council civic centre or using the national eRegistry at businesslicenses.gov.zm. Most small traders need a Local Government Business Levy certificate; larger or regulated businesses are licensed under the Trades Licensing Act. The council will classify your business (for example, hawker, retail, wholesale, or manufacturer), and this classification sets your fee. Bring your NRC or PACRA certificate, PACRA registration documents, ZRA TPIN, and details of your premises. If you are selling food or alcohol, you will also need a health permit and liquor licence respectively, and a fire-safety certificate is mandatory for commercial premises.
Pay the fee and obtain your certificate. Confirm the current fee for your business class and council on the eRegistry, as fees vary by council and are re-gazetted annually. Your licence must be renewed every year. [Local Government Act No. 2 of 2019; Trades Licensing Act, Cap. 393]