Department of Registrar for Non-Governmental Organisations (DRNGO)

The Department of Registrar for NGOs registers, coordinates and regulates all local and international NGOs operating in Zambia under the NGO Act No. 16 of 2009. It aims to make NGOs more transparent, accountable and effective in contributing to national development. It also serves as secretariat to the NGO Registration Board, which registers NGOs, approves their areas of work and advises government, and it hosts the secretariat of the Council of NGOs.

An NGO first reserves its name, then applies with Form 1 and supporting documents, including police clearance for at least five office bearers and a recommendation letter from a relevant line ministry. Applications can be lodged at headquarters in Lusaka or at provincial offices of the ministry, and fees are paid into a Ministry of Finance revenue account. The NGO Registration Board decides on registration, and registrations are published in the Gazette each year. Certificates are valid for five years and are renewed with Form 5, a five-year activity summary and proof that annual returns were paid. Every year, NGOs file annual returns (Form 10) with audited accounts or an income and expenditure ledger, a narrative report and signed AGM or board minutes. The Standards Section inspects accounts, returns and reports, and checks members, funding and physical locations to recommend registration, re-registration or deregistration.