The company was empowered to trade with African rulers such as King Lobengula; to form banks; to own, manage and grant or distribute land, and to raise a police force (the British South Africa Police).
Selskabet blev givet magt til at indgå aftaler med afrikanske herskere som kong Lobengula, til at oprette banker, til at eje, drive og give eller distribuere land og til at oprette en politistyrke (British South Africa Police).