I’ve been using AI for over a year, after sitting on the fence as an AI sceptic. I am now a full convert who believes that we are in an AI bubble that is likely to burst spectacularly, but even when it bursts, the AI infrastructure will still remain and be in use. We will still be using LLMs and AI in just about every facet of our lives.
As an entrepreneur and a practical person, I have seen quite a few opportunities to jump into the AI market and I started a compnay to that effect. The company is called Warpspeed Technology Limited, and is based in Zambia, Africa. I have a few AI projects in the pipeline and will share more information and some prototypes by the endo of Q1, 2026.
I will share the journey of registering the company, navigating the Zambian bureaucracy, and launching our AI offerings.
Before I continue, I am running a small fundraiser to pay for a great .ai domain for my project. I need to raise $10,000 just to get the domain. If you are interested in helping out, there are multiple options available. PayPal, Skrill, WebMoney, Volet, Payeer, Paysera, Payoneer, USDT, USDC, EuroCoin, US bank transfer, Euro SEPA transfer, Nigerian Naira bank transfer, M-Pesa (Kenya), international wire transfer, and more options available on request.
Video One on the process
Video Two on the process
Video Three on the process
The journey so far:
Registration of WarpSpeed Technology Limited
Registering the business was relatively straight-forward. The only challenge was getting a name approved. In Zambia, the most difficult part of registering a company is getting a cool name approved. All the cool names I attempted were rejected, and I was asked to add a descriptive tag to the name. Registration is complete, and I have my company registration documents.
Tax Registration
Due to some technical issues, my tax registration was not done automatically. I had to submit a manual tax registration application, which got approved the same day I applied for it. Having a tax registration or a Tax Payer Identification Number (TPIN) is a prerequisite to commence business in Zambia. You cannot in theory start business without a TPIN, if you do, you are conducting business illegally. A TPIN is needed for: 1. Opening a bank account 2. Issuing invoices on Smart Invoice 3. Paying taxes such as Turnover Tax, Income Tax, PAYE, Withholding Tax, Value Added Tax, Mineral Royalty Tax, etc You also need a TPIN to register for Zambia Public Procurement (eGP), NAPSA, NHIMA, Workers’ Compensation, and most if not all statutory registrations.
Other Statutory Registrations
To be compliant, and also to become a tenderpreneur, we will register for NAPSA, NHIMA, Workers’ Compensation, ZPPA, ZICTA, ICTAZ, CEEC. Zambia has a relatively simple yet complex regulatory setup that is difficult to navigate for newbies, but a walk in the park for experienced pros.
🇿🇲 Zambian Acronyms Explained (Amended)
1. ZRA
- Full Name: Zambia Revenue Authority
- What it is: The principal government agency responsible for collecting national taxes and duties.
- Key Function: Manages and enforces tax laws, including VAT, Income Tax, and Customs Duties.
2. TPIN
- Full Name: Taxpayer Identification Number
- What it is: A unique 13-digit number issued by the ZRA to identify taxpayers (individuals and businesses).
- Key Function: Essential for opening bank accounts, registering a business, and conducting any formal transaction involving revenue.
3. ZPPA
- Full Name: Zambia Public Procurement Authority
- What it is: The statutory body that regulates public procurement of goods, services, and works in Zambia.
- Key Function: Ensures transparency, fairness, and accountability in government tender processes.
4. eGP
- Full Name: Electronic Government Procurement
- What it is: The online platform and system used for conducting public procurement activities in Zambia.
- Key Function: Facilitates electronic tendering, bid submission, and contract awards, promoting efficiency.
5. NAPSA
- Full Name: National Pension Scheme Authority
- What it is: The state institution that manages the mandatory national social security scheme.
- Key Function: Collects monthly pension contributions from employers and employees, and pays out benefits upon retirement or disability.
6. NHIMA
- Full Name: National Health Insurance Management Authority
- What it is: The body responsible for administering the national health insurance scheme.
- Key Function: Collects contributions to provide access to basic healthcare services for registered members.
7. ZICTA
- Full Name: Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority
- What it is: The sector regulator for the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry.
- Key Function: Oversees and regulates telecommunications, postal, and ICT services.
8. ICTAZ
- Full Name: Information and Communications Technology Association of Zambia
- What it is: A professional body for ICT practitioners in Zambia.
- Key Function: Provides accreditation, professional development, and registration for ICT professionals in the country.