How to Change Profile Details on the OBRS in Botswana

Learn how to change your profile details on the OBRS in Botswana, including your email, password, personal information, contact details and recovery preferences.

The Online Business Registration System (OBRS) has made it easier for individuals and businesses in Botswana to manage their business registration activities online. However, keeping your personal profile information accurate is just as important as maintaining your company or business details.

If your email address, telephone number, name, nationality, date of birth, password, or other personal information has changed, you can update your profile through the OBRS. If you are new to the platform, you may first need to create an individual profile on the OBRS.

The Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA) uses the OBRS as its online platform for business registration and related services. CIPA explains that OBRS users create individual profiles containing personal information and login credentials, including an active email address and mobile number.

This guide explains how to change your profile details on the OBRS in Botswana, what information you can update, and why keeping your profile information current matters.

What Is the OBRS in Botswana?

The Online Business Registration System (OBRS) is CIPA’s online platform for accessing business registration and company-related services in Botswana.

The system was launched in 2019 as part of efforts to make business registration faster, cheaper and more accurate.

Instead of handling every administrative process physically, users can log into their OBRS accounts and perform various activities online. Depending on the type of user and their requirements, the platform can be used for activities ranging from registering a business name to registering different types of companies.

For organisations that need to manage their business registration activities through the system, CIPA also provides an organisation profile option. You can learn more about creating an organisation profile on the OBRS if this applies to your situation.

Your OBRS profile is associated with your identity as a user of the system. CIPA states that users are required to create a profile and provide information such as an active email address and mobile number. Each person has their own login credentials for accessing the OBRS.

Because your profile is used to access important business registration services, it is advisable to keep your information accurate and up to date.

Why Should You Update Your OBRS Profile?

There are several reasons why you may need to change your OBRS profile details.

For example, you may have:

• Changed your email address.
• Changed your telephone or contact details.
• Changed your password.
• Corrected or changed your name.
• Updated your nationality information.
• Needed to update your date of birth.
• Changed your recovery email address.
• Changed how you use the OBRS.
• Started using the OBRS more frequently for business registration activities.

Keeping your profile updated can also help you maintain access to your account and receive important communications.

An outdated email address or recovery email, for example, can become a problem if you need to recover access to your account.

If your main concern is specifically your password rather than your other profile information, you can also follow this separate guide on how to change a password on the OBRS.

How to Change Your Profile Details on the OBRS

Changing your profile information is relatively straightforward.

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Visit the CIPA Website

Start by visiting the official Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA) website at www.cipa.co.bw.

From the CIPA website, access the Online Business Registration System (OBRS).

Step 2: Log Into Your OBRS Account

Enter your OBRS login credentials and sign in to your account.

CIPA indicates that OBRS users have individual login credentials, including a username and password, which are used when accessing the system.

Make sure you are using your own OBRS profile rather than another person’s login details.

Step 3: Click on Your Name

After logging into the OBRS, look at the top-right corner of the screen.

You should see your name displayed there.

Click on your name to open the available account options.

Step 4: Select “MY PROFILE”

After clicking your name, select MY PROFILE.

This will take you to the section where you can view and update information associated with your personal OBRS profile.

What Details Can You Change on the OBRS?

The OBRS profile section allows you to change several categories of personal and account information.

These include:

1. Email address
2. Password
3. Individual details
4. Contact details
5. Profile preferences

Let’s look at each category in more detail.

1. Change Your Email Address

Your email address is an important part of your OBRS profile.

If you no longer use the email address originally associated with your account, you can update it through the MY PROFILE section.

It is generally advisable to use an email address that you regularly monitor.

An active email account can be particularly important for receiving account-related communications and recovering access to online services.

Before Changing Your Email Address

Before updating your email address, make sure:

• The new email address is active.
• You have access to the new email account.
• You have entered the address correctly.
• You regularly check the inbox.
• You do not accidentally use an email address belonging to another person.

A simple spelling error in an email address can create unnecessary problems when you need to receive important messages.

2. Change Your OBRS Password

The MY PROFILE section can also be used to change your password.

Changing your password can be useful if:

• You believe someone knows your password.
• Your password has been compromised.
• You have shared your password with someone in the past.
• You want to improve your account security.
• You simply want to replace an old password.

Choose a strong password that is difficult for other people to guess.

Good Password Practices

Avoid using easily guessed information such as:

• Your name.
• Your date of birth.
• Your telephone number.
• The name of your company.
• Simple sequences such as 123456.
• The same password you use on multiple websites.

It is also important not to give your OBRS password to another person.

CIPA’s security information emphasizes that OBRS profiles are individual accounts and that users have their own login credentials.

3. Change Your Individual Details

Another category of information that can be updated through your OBRS profile is your individual details.

This includes information such as:

• Your name.
• Your nationality.
• Your date of birth.

If any of these details have changed or need to be corrected, check your profile and update the relevant information.

Why Accurate Personal Information Matters

Personal information on an official business registration platform should be accurate.

For example, if your name has changed and your OBRS profile still contains outdated information, you may encounter inconsistencies when dealing with business registration records or other administrative processes.

However, users should distinguish between their personal OBRS profile information and information relating to a registered company or business.

Updating your profile does not necessarily mean that information recorded against a company has automatically been changed.

CIPA notes that access to edit company information is connected to authority over the relevant company or business name.

4. Change Your Contact Details

You can also update your contact details through your OBRS profile.

This is particularly important if you have changed your telephone number or other contact information.

When updating your contact information:

1. Log into your OBRS account.
2. Click your name in the top-right corner.
3. Select MY PROFILE.
4. Locate your contact details.
5. Update the relevant information.
6. Save the changes if prompted.

Keeping your contact information current can make it easier to maintain access to your account and manage your OBRS activities.

5. Change Your Profile Preferences

The OBRS also provides profile preference options.

According to the supplied CIPA instructions, you can manage your:

• Recovery email address
• OBRS user frequency preference

The user frequency preference allows you to indicate whether you use the OBRS as a frequent or non-frequent user.

Recovery Email Address

Your recovery email address can be especially important when dealing with account access.

Make sure your recovery email is:

• Active.
• Accessible to you.
• Correctly entered.
• An account that you regularly monitor.

If you lose access to your primary email account, having accurate recovery information can be particularly useful.

OBRS Profile Details vs Company Details

One of the most important distinctions OBRS users should understand is the difference between your personal profile and the information belonging to a registered company or business name.

Your profile contains information about you as an OBRS user.

Company information, on the other hand, relates to the registered business entity.

For example, changing your personal telephone number in MY PROFILE should not be confused with changing the registered contact information associated with a particular company.

CIPA’s guidance states that only users with authority over specific companies or business names can edit information relating to those entities. Authority is automatically granted to the person who registered the company, while directors and company secretaries can apply for authority.

This distinction is important for business owners, directors, company secretaries and people who use the OBRS on behalf of clients.

What If Someone Registered Your Company for You?

Sometimes a company may have been registered on your behalf by another person, such as a consultant, company secretary or registration agent.

In that situation, you may need to obtain authority over the company through your own OBRS profile.

CIPA states that a company director can access company details by creating or logging into an OBRS profile, searching for the company, selecting it, going to Filings and Maintenance, and choosing Request Authority.

This is different from simply changing your personal profile details.

Why This Distinction Matters

Imagine that someone helped you register a company several years ago.

You subsequently create your own OBRS profile, but the company does not appear under your account.

Changing your name, email address or telephone number in MY PROFILE will not necessarily give you authority over that company.

You may need to follow CIPA’s separate authority process.

Managing Other OBRS Activities

Once your OBRS profile is properly set up, you can use the platform for a range of business registration activities.

For example, users may need to:

• Reserve a company name.
• Register a business name.
• Register a close company.
• Register a private company.
• Register a public company.
• Register an external company.
• Register a company limited by guarantee.
• View company certificates or extracts.
• Manage payments and other account-related activities.

If you are planning to establish a business in Botswana, it is useful to understand the different registration procedures rather than treating all businesses as the same type of entity.

For example, you can learn how to reserve a company name on the OBRS before proceeding with registration.

If you are registering a business name, see the guide on how to register a business name on the OBRS.

For company registration, separate procedures apply to different structures, including a close company, private company, public company, and external company.

There is also a specific process for registering a company limited by guarantee on the OBRS.

Managing Your OBRS Payments

Business registration and maintenance activities may involve payments through the OBRS.

Users who frequently conduct transactions on the system may find it useful to understand the pre-pay account functionality.

A separate guide explains how to create a pre-pay account on the OBRS.

Having the correct profile information and understanding your payment options can make it easier to manage your business registration activities efficiently.

Viewing Your Company Certificate or Extract

After registering a business or company, you may need to access official registration documents through the OBRS.

For example, you may need to obtain a certificate or extract when dealing with a bank, government institution, customer, supplier or other organisation.

You can learn more about how to view the certificate or extract of a company or business name on the OBRS.

This is another reason why maintaining reliable access to your OBRS profile is important.

Security Considerations When Using OBRS

Because your OBRS account contains personal information and may provide access to business-related services, account security should be taken seriously.

CIPA says that OBRS users need an active email address and mobile number when creating their profiles. It also states that the system is securely hosted in the cloud and that security audits are conducted regularly.

Nevertheless, users should also take basic precautions.

Protect Your OBRS Login Credentials

Never casually share your:

• OBRS password.
• Email password.
• Recovery information.
• Account access with unauthorized people.

If you use an accountant, consultant, company secretary or registration agent to help with your business affairs, understand exactly what access they have and what they are authorized to do.

Keep Your Email Secure

Your email account can be closely connected to your ability to manage online accounts.

Use a strong password for your email and enable additional security measures where available.

If your OBRS email address changes, update your profile rather than continuing to rely on an email account you no longer control.

What to Check After Updating Your Profile

After changing your OBRS profile details, take a moment to review the information you entered.

A useful checklist is:

• Email address is correct.
• Password has been updated successfully.
• Name is correct.
• Nationality is correct.
• Date of birth is correct.
• Telephone/contact details are correct.
• Recovery email is correct.
• User preference is correct.
• You can still access your account normally.

This simple check can help prevent problems caused by accidentally entering incorrect information.

What If You Cannot Change a Particular Detail?

Not every problem with an OBRS record is necessarily a simple profile-editing issue.

If the information you need to change relates to a registered company, business name or other entity, rather than your personal profile, you may need to use the appropriate company maintenance or filing process.

Similarly, if the OBRS does not allow you to make a particular change or you encounter an error, it is better to seek assistance from CIPA rather than repeatedly entering incorrect information.

CIPA has continued to upgrade the OBRS to introduce new features and improve the user experience. Its 2025 upgrade notice, for example, announced enhancements including beneficial ownership declarations, mandatory company constitutions, pre-pay accounts and company watchlists.

This means that the exact appearance or workflow of the platform can change as CIPA introduces improvements.

A Simple Summary of the Process

If you only need the basic instructions, the process is:

1. Go to www.cipa.co.bw.
2. Log into the OBRS.
3. Look at the top-right corner of the screen.
4. Click on your name.
5. Select MY PROFILE.
6. Find the information you want to change.
7. Update your email, password, individual details, contact information or profile preferences.
8. Save the changes where required.
9. Review your profile to make sure the updated information is correct.

Final Thoughts

Keeping your OBRS profile information up to date is a small administrative task that can make managing your business registration activities much easier.

Your email address, password, personal details, contact information and recovery options are all important parts of your OBRS account. Reviewing these details periodically can help ensure that your account information remains accurate.

At the same time, remember that your personal OBRS profile is different from your company’s registration record. If you need to change information relating to a registered company or obtain authority over a company that someone else registered on your behalf, you may need to use the relevant CIPA company-maintenance or authority process.

For entrepreneurs looking for broader information about establishing and managing businesses in Botswana, explore our Botswana business resources.

For the most current procedures, users should always check the official CIPA website because the OBRS interface and available features can be updated over time.

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