How to Get a Business Licence in Blantyre: 2026/27 Fees and Where to Pay

BCC schedule · 2026/27

Blantyre business licence 2026/27

How to get or renew a business licence from Blantyre City Council, where to pay, and 270 licence fees for 2026/27 next to last year’s, plus Blantyre’s parking, vehicle entry and market stall charges.

Find your fee Application form

Pay at Civic Offices
Renew by 31 March
From K30,000 a year

Quick answer: To trade from premises in Blantyre you need a business premises licence from Blantyre City Council, plus a food licence if you sell food and a liquor licence for alcohol. Fill the application form, the council inspects the premises, then you pay the fee for your business type at the FDH Bank cashiers in the Civic Offices, never to a council employee. Licences run from 1 April to 31 March. 2026/27 fees run from K30,000 (shoeshiner) and K33,600 (small barber shop) upwards, about 20 to 30 percent above 2025/26.

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Get or renew a licenceForm, inspection, pay at Civic Offices.Steps Small business feesKiosk, barber, tailor, taxi.MK Every business licence fee270 lines, old and new.All fees Food and liquor licencesShops, restaurants, bars.Extra Parking and market rentsStreets, buses, entry fees, stalls.City

Steps

How to get a business licence in Blantyre

Blantyre City Council’s own procedure, from its Commerce, Trade and Industry page.

Fill the application form

Download the business premises application form or get one at the Civic Offices. It asks for the business name, type, physical address and number of employees, your name, contact and ID, and which licences you need: business premises, food, liquor or opaque beer. The form itself costs K4,000 for licences under K100,000, K8,000 up to K300,000 and K18,000 above that.
The council inspects your premises

An officer inspects the premises using your form. If they are not approved, the council tells you what to correct before it issues the licence.
Pay at the FDH Bank cashiers in the Civic Offices

Once approved, pay the fee for your business type at the FDH Bank cashiers at the council offices and take the official receipt. The council accepts bank-guaranteed cheques only, not ordinary cheques, and warns: never pay a council employee or hand money or forms to anyone outside the official counters.
Renew before 31 March every year

Blantyre licences run for the financial year. In March 2026 the council said licences expire on 31 March and urged owners to renew from 1 April (BCC). Late renewals may attract penalties. A valid licence can also be used as surety for a bank loan.

Licence help desk counter at Blantyre City Council's Civic Centre — The licence help desk at the Civic Centre in Blantyre. Image: Blantyre City Council

Quick look

Licence fees for common small businesses in Blantyre

2026/27 rate per year. The council grades many businesses by class (A for big or central, lower letters for smaller ones); the inspector decides your class.

Business2026/27
ShoeshinerK30,000
KioskK19,500
Airtime sellerK26,000
Barber shop, Class DK33,600
Mobile money transfersK58,500
Khonde tailor, per machineK60,000
Hairdresser or salon, Class EK78,000
Shop, high density area, class BK132,000
Food licence, minishop or hawkerK60,000
Food licence, takeaway Class CK78,000
Internet cafe, 5 computers or fewerK138,000
Taxis, fewer than 5K138,000
Bar, Class D (liquor licence)K243,000

All fees

Every Blantyre business licence fee, 2026/27

From the council’s 2026/27 charges schedule. The council’s document labels the new column proposed; it is the schedule BCC publishes for 2026/27. Tap a group to open it.

Shops and retail

High density area, class Bwas K110,000 in 2025/26K132,000
High density area, class Awas K150,000 in 2025/26K180,000
Limbe or Blantyre, class Cwas K245,000 in 2025/26K294,000
Limbe or Blantyre, class Bwas K400,000 in 2025/26K484,000
Limbe or Blantyre, class A (new)new in 2026/27K1,500,000
Wholesale, residential areaswas K300,000 in 2025/26K360,000
Wholesale, commercial centreswas K610,000 in 2025/26K732,000
Kioskwas K15,000 in 2025/26K19,500
Airtime sellerwas K20,000 in 2025/26K26,000
Airtime or telephone bureau, retailwas K20,000 in 2025/26K24,000
Airtime or telephone bureau, wholesalewas K205,000 in 2025/26K250,100
Airtime distributor, Class Bwas K240,000 in 2025/26K288,000
Airtime distributor, Class Awas K330,000 in 2025/26K412,500
Mobile money transferswas K45,000 in 2025/26K58,500
Bookshop, retailwas K290,000 in 2025/26K348,000
Bookshop, wholesalewas K540,000 in 2025/26K648,000
Farm produce (maize, beans, rice), Class Cwas K115,000 in 2025/26K149,500
Farm produce, Class Bwas K180,000 in 2025/26K234,000
Farm produce, Class Awas K280,000 in 2025/26K364,000
Car sales: spare partswas K410,000 in 2025/26K533,000
Car saleswas K840,000 in 2025/26K1,092,000

Hair, beauty and personal services

Shoeshinerwas K25,000 in 2025/26K30,000
Barber shop, Class Dwas K28,000 in 2025/26K33,600
Barber shop, Class Cwas K100,000 in 2025/26K120,000
Barber shop, Class Bwas K160,000 in 2025/26K192,000
Barber shop, Class Awas K180,000 in 2025/26K216,000
Barber shop, Premierwas K380,000 in 2025/26K456,000
Hairdresser or salon, Class Ewas K65,000 in 2025/26K78,000
Hairdresser or salon, Class Dwas K100,000 in 2025/26K120,000
Hairdresser or salon, Class Cwas K180,000 in 2025/26K216,000
Hairdresser or salon, Class Bwas K300,000 in 2025/26K360,000
Hairdresser or salon, Class A (CBDs)was K390,000 in 2025/26K475,800
Massage or acupuncture parlourwas K520,000 in 2025/26K624,000
Gym, Class Dwas K300,000 in 2025/26K360,000
Gym, Class Cwas K500,000 in 2025/26K650,000
Gym, Class B (new)new in 2026/27K700,000
Gym, Class A (upmarket: hotels, sports clubs)was K700,000 in 2025/26K910,000
Dog bathwas K140,000 in 2025/26K168,000

Trades and workshops

Knitter, per machinewas K30,000 in 2025/26K36,000
Khonde tailor or township tailor, per machinewas K50,000 in 2025/26K60,000
Tailor in a major trading centre, per machinewas K65,000 in 2025/26K78,000
Tailoring companywas K650,000 in 2025/26K1,007,500
Maize mill, per millwas K50,000 in 2025/26K65,000
Fridge, TV and radio repairs, local centreswas K47,000 in 2025/26K56,400
Fridge, TV and radio repairs, major trading centreswas K115,000 in 2025/26K138,000
Fridge, TV and radio repairs, Limbe or Blantyre CBDwas K180,000 in 2025/26K219,600
Shoemaker, Class Bwas K190,000 in 2025/26K228,000
Shoemaker, Class Awas K300,000 in 2025/26K360,000
Welder, Class Cwas K150,000 in 2025/26K195,000
Welder, Class B (medium scale)was K280,000 in 2025/26K364,000
Welder, Class A (companies)was K790,000 in 2025/26K1,027,000
Furniture and joinery, Class Cwas K185,000 in 2025/26K222,000
Furniture and joinery, Class B (large-scale individuals)was K315,000 in 2025/26K378,000
Furniture and joinery, Class A (companies)was K1,500,000 in 2025/26K1,950,000
Garage, Class Dwas K160,000 in 2025/26K192,000
Garage, Class Cwas K300,000 in 2025/26K360,000
Garage, Class Bwas K620,000 in 2025/26K759,500
Garage, Class A (well established)was K900,000 in 2025/26K1,170,000
Timber sellingwas K330,000 in 2025/26K396,000
Timber processing, small scalewas K520,000 in 2025/26K637,000
Timber processing, large scalewas K1,100,000 in 2025/26K1,430,000
Manufacturing, small scalewas K450,000 in 2025/26K562,500
Manufacturing, large scale (CBDs and industrial areas)was K1,200,000 in 2025/26K1,560,000
Screen printer, Class Bwas K230,000 in 2025/26K276,000
Screen printer, Class A (lower)was K360,000 in 2025/26K432,000
Screen printer, Class A (upper)was K560,000 in 2025/26K672,000

Offices, cafes and services

Secretarial bureau, Class Cwas K50,000 in 2025/26K60,000
Secretarial bureau, Class Bwas K75,000 in 2025/26K90,000
Secretarial bureau, Class Awas K130,000 in 2025/26K156,000
Internet cafe, 5 computers or fewerwas K115,000 in 2025/26K138,000
Internet cafe, 6 to 10 computerswas K200,000 in 2025/26K240,000
Internet cafe, more than 10 computerswas K260,000 in 2025/26K314,600
Car wash, class Bwas K120,000 in 2025/26K144,000
Car wash, class A (CBDs)was K170,000 in 2025/26K212,500
Dry cleaning, individualswas K210,000 in 2025/26K252,000
Dry cleaning, companieswas K465,000 in 2025/26K558,000
Dry cleaning serviceswas K530,000 in 2025/26K689,000
Office cleaning, Class Bwas K150,000 in 2025/26K180,000
Office cleaning, Class Awas K310,000 in 2025/26K372,000
Pest control, Class Cwas K120,000 in 2025/26K156,000
Pest control, Class Bwas K180,000 in 2025/26K234,000
Pest control, Class Awas K300,000 in 2025/26K390,000
Recruitment agency, Class Bwas K170,000 in 2025/26K204,000
Recruitment agency, Class Awas K270,000 in 2025/26K324,000
Photographer, individualwas K150,000 in 2025/26K180,000
Photo studio, companywas K400,000 in 2025/26K480,000
Recording studio, Class Bwas K200,000 in 2025/26K240,000
Recording studio, Class Awas K430,000 in 2025/26K516,000
Decorator or event managerwas K300,000 in 2025/26K360,000
Tour guidewas K150,000 in 2025/26K195,000
Courier, Class Bwas K470,000 in 2025/26K564,000
Courier, Class Awas K620,000 in 2025/26K744,000
Estate agent, Class Bwas K390,000 in 2025/26K468,000
Estate agent, Class Awas K680,000 in 2025/26K837,000
Advertising agentwas K450,000 in 2025/26K585,000
Consulting firm (lawyers, engineers, surveyors, accountants, auditors)was K450,000 in 2025/26K585,000
Auctioneerwas K780,000 in 2025/26K1,014,000
Travel agentwas K810,000 in 2025/26K1,053,000
Security company, Class Cwas K250,000 in 2025/26K325,000
Security company, Class Bwas K500,000 in 2025/26K650,000
Security company, Class Awas K900,000 in 2025/26K1,170,000
Clearing and forwarding agent, Class Cwas K300,000 in 2025/26K360,000
Clearing and forwarding agent, Class Bwas K400,000 in 2025/26K480,000
Clearing and forwarding agent, Class Awas K900,000 in 2025/26K1,170,000
Warehouse, Class Cwas K440,000 in 2025/26K572,000
Warehouse, Class Bwas K650,000 in 2025/26K845,000
Warehouse, Class Awas K1,100,000 in 2025/26K1,430,000

Health

Private clinic in a location, Class Cwas K180,000 in 2025/26K216,000
Clinic, maternity or laboratory, Class Bwas K310,000 in 2025/26K403,000
Clinic, maternity or laboratory, Class Awas K700,000 in 2025/26K910,000
Hospital, clinic or nursing home, Premierwas K1,600,000 in 2025/26K2,080,000
Herbal food supplements, Class Bwas K180,000 in 2025/26K216,000
Herbal food supplements, Class Awas K240,000 in 2025/26K290,400
Pharmacy: drug storewas K195,000 in 2025/26K234,000
Pharmacy: retailwas K325,000 in 2025/26K396,500
Pharmacy: wholesalewas K700,000 in 2025/26K910,000
Pharmacy: manufacturingwas K1,360,000 in 2025/26K1,768,000
Veterinary services, Class Bwas K190,000 in 2025/26K228,000
Veterinary services, Class Awas K380,000 in 2025/26K459,800
Coffin shop, Class C (small)was K180,000 in 2025/26K217,800
Coffin shop, Class B (medium)was K390,000 in 2025/26K507,000
Coffin shop, Class A (with funeral services)was K690,000 in 2025/26K897,000
Mortuarywas K700,000 in 2025/26K910,000

Schools and colleges

Nursery or primary school, fees under K50,000was K180,000 in 2025/26K216,000
Nursery or primary school, fees K50,000 to K100,000was K210,000 in 2025/26K252,000
Nursery or primary school, fees K100,000 to K250,000was K480,000 in 2025/26K576,000
Nursery or primary school, fees K250,000 to K500,000was K920,000 in 2025/26K1,196,000
Nursery or primary school, fees K500,000 and abovewas K2,200,000 in 2025/26K2,860,000
Secondary school, fees under K40,000was K300,000 in 2025/26K360,000
Secondary school, fees K40,000 to K100,000was K480,000 in 2025/26K576,000
Secondary school, fees K100,000 to K150,000was K920,000 in 2025/26K1,104,000
Secondary school, fees K150,000 to K200,000was K920,000 in 2025/26K1,104,000
Secondary school, fees K200,000 to K350,000was K1,100,000 in 2025/26K1,430,000
Secondary school, fees K350,000 to K600,000was K1,360,000 in 2025/26K1,768,000
Secondary school, fees K600,000 and abovewas K2,450,000 in 2025/26K3,185,000
Special skills school, Class Bwas K140,000 in 2025/26K168,000
Special skills school, Class Awas K215,000 in 2025/26K258,000
Driving school, fewer than 5 vehicleswas K330,000 in 2025/26K429,000
Driving school, 5 to 10 vehicleswas K470,000 in 2025/26K611,000
Driving school, more than 10 vehicleswas K620,000 in 2025/26K806,000
College, Class C (diplomas, certificates)was K1,360,000 in 2025/26K1,768,000
College, Class B (degrees)was K1,920,000 in 2025/26K2,496,000
College, Class A (masters)was K2,600,000 in 2025/26K3,380,000

Hotels, lodges and venues

Rest house, Class Bwas K210,000 in 2025/26K252,000
Rest house, Class Awas K280,000 in 2025/26K336,000
Ungraded hotel, lodge, motel or inn, Class Bwas K350,000 in 2025/26K423,500
Ungraded hotel, lodge, motel or inn, Class Awas K450,000 in 2025/26K553,500
1 to 2 star hotelwas K880,000 in 2025/26K1,144,000
3 star hotelwas K1,500,000 in 2025/26K3,000,000
4 and 5 star hotelwas K2,200,000 in 2025/26K5,016,000
Casinowas K1,180,000 in 2025/26K1,534,000
Garden events venue, Class Cwas K260,000 in 2025/26K312,000
Garden events venue, Class Bwas K450,000 in 2025/26K540,000
Garden events venue, Class Awas K520,000 in 2025/26K624,000
Entertainment hall or conference centre, Premierwas K830,000 in 2025/26K996,000
Video show: movieswas K45,000 in 2025/26K54,000
Video show: footballwas K115,000 in 2025/26K138,000
Cinema, Class Bwas K250,000 in 2025/26K300,000
Cinema, Class Awas K360,000 in 2025/26K432,000
Art gallerywas K450,000 in 2025/26K540,000
Bettingwas K45,000 in 2025/26K58,500
Gaming and lotterieswas K450,000 in 2025/26K585,000
Horticultural or forestry nurserywas K50,000 in 2025/26K60,000
Garden centre or floristwas K200,000 in 2025/26K240,000
Private parking, under 50 spaceswas K235,000 in 2025/26K305,500
Private parking, 50 spaces or morewas K480,000 in 2025/26K624,000

Transport

Taxis, fewer than 5was K115,000 in 2025/26K138,000
Taxis, 6 to 10was K210,000 in 2025/26K252,000
Taxis, more than 10was K400,000 in 2025/26K480,000
Car hire, fewer than 20 carswas K390,000 in 2025/26K468,000
Car hire, more than 20 carswas K600,000 in 2025/26K732,000
Local buses, fewer than 3was K400,000 in 2025/26K520,000
Local buses, fewer than 5was K480,000 in 2025/26K624,000
Local buses, 5 to 10was K700,000 in 2025/26K910,000
Local buses, more than 10was K1,040,000 in 2025/26K1,352,000
International buseswas K1,650,000 in 2025/26K2,145,000
Trucks or lorries, fewer than 5was K515,000 in 2025/26K669,500
Trucks or lorries, 5 to 10was K730,000 in 2025/26K949,000
Trucks or lorries, more than 10was K1,200,000 in 2025/26K1,560,000
International truckswas K1,800,000 in 2025/26K2,340,000
COF serviceswas K900,000 in 2025/26K1,170,000

Banks, insurance and finance

Insurance agencywas K350,000 in 2025/26K455,000
Insurance brokerwas K530,000 in 2025/26K689,000
Insurance companywas K700,000 in 2025/26K1,505,000
Microfinancewas K700,000 in 2025/26K910,000
Forex bureauwas K700,000 in 2025/26K910,000
Bank agencywas K2,000,000 in 2025/26K2,600,000
Bank branchwas K4,000,000 in 2025/26K7,000,000
Bank head officewas K9,000,000 in 2025/26K15,030,000

Media and telecoms

Community radio stationwas K160,000 in 2025/26K208,000
Community TV stationwas K180,000 in 2025/26K234,000
Religious radio or TV stationwas K300,000 in 2025/26K390,000
Commercial radiowas K550,000 in 2025/26K715,000
TV stationwas K650,000 in 2025/26K845,000
Newspaper outletwas K350,000 in 2025/26K420,000
Newspaper publisherwas K810,000 in 2025/26K1,053,000
Telecom shop (TNM, Airtel, Access)was K800,000 in 2025/26K1,040,000
Transmission tower, per tower per yearwas K350,000 in 2025/26K455,000
Optic fibre provider, business licencewas K2,100,000 in 2025/26K2,730,000
Optic fibre provider, per pole per monthwas K1,500 in 2025/26K1,950

Contractors

MK50 million category and belowwas K250,000 in 2025/26K325,000
MK100 million categorywas K335,000 in 2025/26K435,500
MK200 million categorywas K480,000 in 2025/26K624,000
MK500 million categorywas K960,000 in 2025/26K1,248,000
MK1 billion categorywas K1,650,000 in 2025/26K2,145,000
Unlimited (above MK1 billion)was K3,000,000 in 2025/26K3,900,000

Fuel, sanitation and other

Filling station, fewer than 4 pumps (per pump)was K360,000 in 2025/26K468,000
Filling station, 4 to 8 pumps (per pump)was K525,000 in 2025/26K682,500
Filling station, more than 8 pumps (per pump)was K765,000 in 2025/26K994,500
Mobile toilet operatorwas K100,000 in 2025/26K120,000
Private toilet operatorwas K260,000 in 2025/26K314,600
Sludge emptying, without vehicleswas K350,000 in 2025/26K420,000
Sludge emptying, with vehicleswas K520,000 in 2025/26K634,400

Forms and replacement2026/27
Application form, licences under K100,000was K3,000 in 2025/26K4,000
Application form, licences K100,000 to K300,000was K6,000 in 2025/26K8,000
Application form, licences over K300,000was K15,000 in 2025/26K18,000
Licence replacementwas K40,000 in 2025/26K52,000

Baskets of beans and grains for sale at Limbe Market — Limbe Market. Traders here pay a market fee or stall rent as well as their licences. Image: Blantyre City Council

On top

Food and liquor licences

Sell food or drink? These are paid as well as the business licence. Tick them on the same application form.

Food: Shops and stalls

Minishops and hawkerswas K50,000 in 2025/26K60,000
Groceries, townshipswas K105,000 in 2025/26K126,000
Groceries, city centres, Grade Bwas K240,000 in 2025/26K288,000
Groceries, city centres, Grade Awas K315,000 in 2025/26K387,450
Superettewas K161,000 in 2025/26K209,300
Supermarketwas K480,000 in 2025/26K624,000
Convenience shop or bakery outletwas K360,000 in 2025/26K432,000
Wholesalerwas K720,000 in 2025/26K936,000
Milk permit, Class B (superettes)was K75,000 in 2025/26K90,000
Milk permit, Class A (supermarkets)was K110,000 in 2025/26K133,100

Food: Butcheries and fresh food

Townships and other marketswas K75,000 in 2025/26K90,000
Blantyre and Limbe marketwas K115,000 in 2025/26K138,000
City centres, otherwas K390,000 in 2025/26K468,000
City centres, Premierwas K620,000 in 2025/26K744,000

Food: Restaurants, takeaways and coffee shops

Coffee shop or takeaway, Class Cwas K65,000 in 2025/26K78,000
Coffee shop or takeaway, Class Bwas K115,000 in 2025/26K138,000
Coffee shop or takeaway, Class Awas K280,000 in 2025/26K342,000
Restaurant, inn or cafe, Class Cwas K75,000 in 2025/26K97,500
Restaurant, inn or cafe, Class Bwas K150,000 in 2025/26K195,000
Restaurant, inn or cafe, Class Awas K290,000 in 2025/26K377,000
Restaurant, Premier standardwas K480,000 in 2025/26K624,000
Restaurant, Premier executivewas K615,000 in 2025/26K799,500
Food licence under the Hotels and Tourism Actwas K720,000 in 2025/26K936,000
Lodge, Premier executivewas K350,000 in 2025/26K455,000
Casinowas K700,000 in 2025/26K910,000
Clubwas K720,000 in 2025/26K936,000

Food: Bars and bottle stores (food licence)

Class Cwas K145,000 in 2025/26K174,000
Class Bwas K240,000 in 2025/26K292,800
Class Awas K330,000 in 2025/26K429,000
Premier (24 hours)was K520,000 in 2025/26K676,000

Food: Food and drink makers

Small confectionery manufacturingwas K120,000 in 2025/26K144,000
Food manufacturing (chain store bakeries)was K720,000 in 2025/26K936,000
Dairies and bakerieswas K1,180,000 in 2025/26K1,534,000
Distributor of drinks: foodwas K390,000 in 2025/26K487,500
Distributor of drinks: liquorwas K710,000 in 2025/26K887,500
Opaque beer: tavern retailerwas K200,000 in 2025/26K242,000
Opaque beer: manufacturer, one outletwas K340,000 in 2025/26K408,000
Opaque beer: manufacturer, 2 to 4 outletswas K520,000 in 2025/26K624,000
Opaque beer: manufacturer, 5 or more outletswas K740,000 in 2025/26K895,400
Opaque beer: wholesalewas K720,000 in 2025/26K900,000
Opaque beer: manufacturingwas K1,500,000 in 2025/26K2,505,000

Liquor: Bars

Bar, Class D (small scale, high density areas)was K200,000 in 2025/26K243,000
Bar, Class Cwas K390,000 in 2025/26K507,000
Bar, Class Bwas K700,000 in 2025/26K910,000
Bar, Class Awas K920,000 in 2025/26K1,196,000
Bar, Premier 24 hours (hotels)was K2,050,000 in 2025/26K2,665,000
Cabaretwas K75,000 in 2025/26K91,500
Restaurant in a bar or bottle store, non mobilewas K290,000 in 2025/26K348,000
Restaurant in a bar or bottle store, mobilewas K350,000 in 2025/26K420,000
Lodge or motelwas K400,000 in 2025/26K484,000
Hotel or casinowas K770,000 in 2025/26K924,000
Club (sports and country clubs)was K770,000 in 2025/26K924,000

Liquor: Shops, makers and wholesale

Bottle store (supermarkets)was K390,000 in 2025/26K468,000
Liquor shop, Executivewas K600,000 in 2025/26K720,000
Liquor shop, Premierwas K800,000 in 2025/26K976,000
Liquor wholesalewas K1,200,000 in 2025/26K2,004,000
Liquor manufacturingwas K2,100,000 in 2025/26K3,003,000

City charges

Blantyre parking, vehicle entry and market fees

From the same schedule. Most parking charges double in 2026/27.

Parking

Limbe and Blantyre streetswas K500 in 2025/26K1,000
Minibus within the citywas K600 in 2025/26K1,200
Minibus going out of the citywas K2,000 in 2025/26K4,000
Coaster, depots and other placeswas K4,000 in 2025/26K8,000
Buses, lorries and other big vehicleswas K10,000 in 2025/26K20,000
International buseswas K70,000 in 2025/26K140,000
Minibus overnightwas K4,000 in 2025/26K8,000
Coaster overnightwas K10,000 in 2025/26K20,000
Bus overnightwas K14,000 in 2025/26K28,000
Reserved parkingwas K90,000 in 2025/26K150,000
Clampingwas K50,000 in 2025/26K100,000

Vehicle entry fee, by weight

1 tonne and belowwas K20,000 in 2025/26K40,000
Above 1 to 3 tonneswas K35,000 in 2025/26K70,000
Above 3 to 5 tonneswas K40,000 in 2025/26K80,000
Above 5 tonneswas K50,000 in 2025/26K100,000

Markets, stalls and toilets

Market fee (daily)was K500 in 2025/26K500
Public toiletwas K400 in 2025/26K500
Kiosk ground rentwas K30,000 in 2025/26K39,000
Limbe Market: lock-up, smallwas K35,000 in 2025/26K45,500
Limbe Market: lock-up, standardwas K50,000 in 2025/26K65,000
Limbe Market: small shop or barber shopwas K50,000 in 2025/26K65,000
Limbe Market: butcherywas K85,000 in 2025/26K102,000
Limbe Market: shops 78 to 80was K95,000 in 2025/26K114,000
Limbe Market: shops 81 to 83was K115,000 in 2025/26K138,000
Limbe Market: restaurantwas K115,000 in 2025/26K149,500
Blantyre Market: shop or barber shopwas K50,000 in 2025/26K65,000
Blantyre Market: butcherywas K60,000 in 2025/26K78,000
Blantyre Market: restaurantwas K85,000 in 2025/26K110,500
Blantyre Market: toiletswas K115,000 in 2025/26K149,500
Ndirande Market: shopwas K35,000 in 2025/26K45,500
Ndirande Market: butcherywas K45,000 in 2025/26K58,500
Chilomoni: lock-upwas K12,000 in 2025/26K15,600
Chilomoni: shopwas K15,000 in 2025/26K19,500
Chilomoni: butcherywas K20,000 in 2025/26K26,000
Chilomoni: bar (1 and 8)was K150,000 in 2025/26K172,500
Manyowe Market: shopwas K25,000 in 2025/26K32,500

Driving in Lilongwe too? Lilongwe City Council’s 2026 parking fees are different: see our Lilongwe parking fees guide.

Contact

Blantyre City Council

Business Licensing Unit, Directorate of Commerce, Trade and Industry.

Go to the Civic Offices in Blantyre, or phone before you travel. Pay only at the official counters and keep your receipt: it is your proof of payment.

Phone: +265 1 823 435
Licence form line: 01 870 211
Email: [email protected]
Post: Private Bag 67, Blantyre
Pay at: FDH Bank cashiers, Civic Offices

Official pages

Blantyre City Council links

2026/27 chargesBCC PDF, all licences and fees Application formBusiness premises, food, liquor Commerce and TradeLicensing procedure Renewal noticeMarch 2026

Questions

Blantyre business licence FAQ

How much is a business licence in Blantyre?

It depends on the business and its class. In 2026/27 a shoeshiner pays K30,000, a small barber shop K33,600, a shop in a high density area K132,000 and a class B shop in Limbe or Blantyre K484,000. Food and liquor licences are extra.

Where do I pay for a Blantyre business licence?

At the FDH Bank cashiers in the council’s Civic Offices. Never pay a council employee or anyone outside the official counters.

When do Blantyre business licences expire?

On 31 March each year. The council asked owners to renew from 1 April 2026.

Can I pay by cheque?

Only with a bank-guaranteed cheque. Ordinary cheques are not accepted.

Do I need a food licence as well?

Yes, if you sell food: shops, takeaways, butcheries, bakeries and restaurants pay a food licence on top of the business licence.

Are the 2026/27 fees final?

The council’s schedule labels them proposed, but it is the list BCC publishes for 2026/27. Confirm your exact fee at the Civic Offices before you pay.

What about Lilongwe and Mzuzu?

Each council sets its own fees: see our Lilongwe and Mzuzu business licence guides.

Next steps