ARIPO

Country Data

Particulars Details
Official Name African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO)
Established 9 December 1976, under the Lusaka Agreement
Secretariat / Headquarters Harare, Zimbabwe
Address 11 Natal Road, Belgravia, Harare, ZimbabweP.O. Box 4228
Member States  
Working Language English
Currency for ARIPO fees United States Dollars (US$)
Primary Regional IP Systems PatentsUtility ModelsIndustrial DesignsTrademarksTraditional Knowledge and Expressions of FolkloreNew Varieties of PlantsVoluntary Registration of Copyright and Related Rights

Conventions/ Treaties

Particulars Details
Lusaka Agreement Lusaka Agreement on the Creation of ARIPOAdopted: December 9, 1976Establishes the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization.Provides the institutional framework for ARIPO and its regional IP cooperation activities.
Harare Protocol Harare Protocol on Patents, Utility Models and Industrial DesignsAdopted: December 10, 1982Entered into force: April 25, 1984Provides a centralized regional fiing and registration system for patents, utility models and industrial designs.As of August 27, 2025, Mauritius became the 21st Contracting State.Somalia remains the only ARIPO Member State that is not a Contracting State to the Harare Protocol.
Banjul Protocol Banjul Protocol on MarksAdopted: November 19, 1993Entered into force: March 6, 1997Establishes the ARIPO regional system for trademark registration.In 2025, 13 Member States were parties to the Banjul Protocol; however, following the October 2025 Tanzanian court decision, Tanzania became ineligible for designation under the Banjul Protocol until further notice.
Swakopmund Protocol Swakopmund Protocol on the Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Expressions of FolkloreAdopted: August 9, 2010Entered into force: May 25, 2015Establishes a regional framework for the protection of traditional knowledge and expressions of folklore.
Arusha Protocol Arusha Protocol for the Protection of New Varieties of PlantsAdopted: July 6, 2015Establishes a regional framework for plant variety protection.The Protocol is implemented through participating ARIPO Member States that have become Contracting States.
Kampala Protocol Kampala Protocol on Voluntary Registration of Copyright and Related RightsAdopted: August 2021Provides for voluntary regional registration of copyright and related rights.The Protocol has not yet entered into force; it requires five Member States to deposit instruments of ratification or accession.Implementing Regulations were adopted in November 2022.
ARIPO’s regional systems and WIPO ARIPO’s regional systems operate in conjunction with international IP systems administered by WIPO. The Harare Protocol is integrated with the PCT framework, allowing applicants to use ARIPO as a regional route following a PCT filing where the applicable requirements are satisfied.

National Legislation

  • Banjul Protocol on Marks within the Framework of ARIPO, together with its Implementing Regulations and Administrative Instructions.
  • Important 2025/2026 update: The Banjul Protocol, including its Implementing Regulations, Forms and Fees, was amended in 2025, with the amendments entering into force on March 1, 2026. Therefore, for applications filed or prosecuted in 2026, the amended Banjul framework should be used
Basic Information
Particulars Details
Creation of rights The Banjul Protocol provides a regional filing system. A single application may designate one or more Banjul Protocol Contracting States.
Basis for filing An applicant may file a regional application through ARIPO or through the industrial property office of a Banjul Protocol Contracting State.
Well-known marks Protection against conflicting marks is determined substantially under the national law of each designated State. The Banjul registration should therefore not be regarded as replacing national-law protection or enforcement mechanisms.
Types of marks The system provides for registration of trademarks/marks covering goods and services.
Priority A 6-month priority period is available where priority is claimed under the Paris Convention.
Madrid System The Banjul Protocol is a separate regional system from the Madrid System. An applicant seeking protection in ARIPO Member States must consider whether the relevant country is accessible through the Banjul Protocol and/or through the Madrid System based on the applicant’s circumstances.
Filing system A single ARIPO application may designate multiple Banjul Protocol Contracting States.
Classification Goods and services are classified according to the Nice Classification.
Who can be Applicant Individuals and legal entities.
Representation Representation is mandatory for applicants who are not resident or whose principal place of business is not situated in a Banjul
Examination The ARIPO Office conducts formal examination. Substantive examination is conducted by the designated States under their respective national laws.Each designated State has 9 months to notify ARIPO of a refusal. If no refusal is communicated within the prescribed period, the application may proceed in that State under the Banjul system.
Publication Accepted applications are published in the ARIPO Journal.
Opposition period 3 months from publication in the ARIPO Journal.Opposition is dealt with under the applicable Banjul Protocol procedure and, where relevant, the national law of the designated State.
Duration of registration 10 years from the filing date.
Renewal Renewable for successive periods of 10 years upon payment of the prescribed renewal fees.
Non-use The consequences of non-use are governed principally by the applicable national law of the relevant designated State. Accordingly, a single uniform ARIPO non-use period should not be stated for all Banjul countries.
Effect of registration An ARIPO trademark registration has effect only in the designated States in which it has been accepted/registered. Enforcement and validity are subject to the applicable national laws of those States.
Registration timeframe (straightforward case) Approximately 12–15 months, assuming no substantive refusal or opposition. The statutory/procedural framework includes a 9-month examination period followed by a 3-month opposition/publication period.

Banjul Protocol Contracting States

The Banjul Protocol has historically had 13 Contracting States:

  • Botswana
  • Cabo Verde
  • Eswatini
  • The Gambia
  • Lesotho
  • Liberia
  • Malawi
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Tanzania
  • Uganda
  • Zimbabwe

Important Tanzania qualification: Following the judgment of the Court of Appeal of Tanzania in Lakairo Industries Group Co. Ltd. and Others v. Kenafrica Industries Limited and Others, ARIPO announced on October 24, 2025 that Tanzania was ineligible for designation under the Banjul Protocol until further notice, because the court held that Tanzania had not domestically ratified the Protocol. This should be specifically checked before designating Tanzania.

Accordingly, for practical filing purposes, Tanzania should not presently be treated as an available Banjul designation unless ARIPO/BRELA confirms otherwise.

Search
Particulars Details
Official Search Available through ARIPO’s IP databases.
Scope of search ARIPO provides online search facilities covering regional IP records. Searches can be conducted through the ARIPO IP database
Turnaround time Depends on the type of search requested and the applicable ARIPO service.
Ways to obtain protection
  • Filing a trademark application directly with the ARIPO Office under the Banjul Protocol.
  • Filing through the industrial property office of a Banjul Protocol Contracting State.
  • Filing an international trademark application under the Madrid System where the relevant designated country is accessible through that system

Documentary Requirements

New Applications
  1. Completed ARIPO trademark application form.
  2. Applicant’s name and address.
  3. Representation of the mark.
  4. Specification of goods/services according to the Nice Classification.
  5. Designation of the relevant Banjul Protocol Contracting State(s).
  6. Power of Attorney where representation is required.
  7. Priority document where priority is claimed.
  8. Prescribed application and designation fees, or undertaking to pay within the applicable period.
Renewal of Registration
  1. Renewal application/form.
  2. Registration/application details.
  3. Prescribed renewal fees.
  4. Power of Attorney where representation is required.
Change of Name / Address Recordation
  1. Appropriate ARIPO recordal form.
  2. Power of Attorney, where applicable.
  3. Supporting document evidencing the change.
  4. Details/certificate of the relevant ARIPO registration.
Assignment Recordation
  1. Appropriate ARIPO recordal form.
  2. Power of Attorney from the assignee/representative, where applicable.
  3. Deed of Assignment executed by the relevant parties.
  4. Details/certificate of the relevant registration.
Merger Recordation
  1. Simply signed Power of Attorney from the surviving entity.
  2. Merger document/certificate, with applicable legalization and translation.
  3. Copy of trademark registration certificate/details.
License Recordation
  1. Appropriate ARIPO form.
  2. Power of Attorney, where applicable.
  3. License agreement or other supporting document.
  4. Details of the relevant ARIPO registration.

National Legislation

  • Harare Protocol on Patents, Utility Models and Industrial Designs, together with its Implementing Regulations, Administrative Instructions and Forms.
  • 2025 amendment: The Harare Protocol, Implementing Regulations, Forms and Fees were amended with effect from March 1, 2025, and the amendments apply to existing and new applications
Ways to obtain patent protection:
  1. Direct ARIPO filing under the Harare Protocol.
  2. Filing through the industrial property office of a Harare Protocol Contracting State.
  3. PCT regional phase application designating ARIPO/its applicable Contracting States.
  4. Paris Convention filing claiming priority
Basic Information
Particulars Details
Claims admissible for Product inventionsProcess inventions
Patentability requirements The invention must be:New;Inventive/non-obvious; andIndustrially applicable.
Novelty requirement Absolute novelty, subject to applicable statutory exceptions.
Convention priority 12 months under the Paris Convention.
PCT regional phase entry The applicable PCT time limit is generally 31 months for ARIPO’s regional phase
Examination ARIPO undertakes or arranges substantive examination of patent applications.A request for substantive examination is required. Under the current framework, the request must be filed within 36 months from the applicable filing/priority date, depending on the type of application. For PCT applications, the relevant period is calculated from the international filing date/priority date in accordance with the applicable Harare/PCT provisions.
Publication Applications and granted patents are published through the ARIPO Journal/publication system.
Designated-State objection period After ARIPO communicates its intention to grant a patent, each designated State has 6 months to notify ARIPO that the patent will have no effect in its territory on the grounds permitted under the Harare Protocol.
Protection term 20 years from the filing date, subject to payment of annual
Annuity payment Annual maintenance fees are payable for each designated State.
Grace period for late annuity payment Late payment is permitted subject to the applicable surcharge and procedural requirements.
Working / Compulsory License An ARIPO patent is subject, in each designated State, to the applicable national provisions concerning compulsory licensing, forfeiture and use of patented inventions in the public interest.
Patent grant timeframe (straightforward case) Timing varies depending on examination and prosecution. A minimum of approximately 6 months following notification to the designated States is built into the grant procedure, while substantive examination and applicant responses can make the overall period considerably longer.
Requirements

Direct ARIPO Application

  1. Completed ARIPO Form 3

  2. Description of the invention

  3. Claims

  4. Drawings, where applicable

  5. Abstract

  6. Designation of at least one Harare Protocol Contracting State

  7. Prescribed fees or an undertaking to pay within the applicable period

  8. Power of Attorney, where the applicant is required to be represented

  9. Priority document, if priority is claimed

PCT Regional Phase Application

  1. ARIPO regional-phase request/documentation

  2. Copy/details of the international application

  3. Required translation, where applicable

  4. Patent specification, claims, drawings, and abstract

  5. Priority information/documentation, where applicable

  6. Power of Attorney, where required

  7. Payment of applicable regional-phase fees

  8. Request for substantive examination within the prescribed period

  9. Payment of applicable maintenance fees

Utility Models

National Legislation

  • Utility models are governed by the Harare Protocol, as amended.

  • The 2025 amendments to the Harare Protocol entered into force on March 1, 2025.

Ways to Obtain Protection for Design

  1. Direct ARIPO filing

  2. Filing through a Harare Protocol Contracting State

  3. Applicable conversion from a patent application

  4. Applicable PCT/ARIPO route, where permitted

Basic Information

Particulars Details
Protectable subject matter Utility models protect qualifying technical innovations meeting the requirements of the Harare Protocol.
Novelty The utility model must be new.
Industrial applicability The utility model must be capable of industrial application.
Substantive examination ARIPO undertakes or arranges substantive examination.
Designated-State objection period 6 months following notification by ARIPO.
Protection term 10 years from the filing date, subject to payment of maintenance fees.
Conversion A patent application may, subject to the applicable requirements and payment of the prescribed fee, be converted into a utility model application.

Requirements

  1. Completed ARIPO Form 3

  2. Description

  3. One or more claims

  4. Drawings, where applicable

  5. Abstract

  6. Designation of at least one Contracting State

  7. Power of Attorney, where required

  8. Priority document, where priority is claimed

  9. Prescribed

National Legislation

  • Harare Protocol on Patents, Utility Models and Industrial Designs, as amended effective March 1, 2025
Ways to obtain protection for design:
  1. Direct ARIPO filing.
  2. Filing through a Harare Protocol Contracting State.
  3. Paris Convention priority claim
Basic Information
Particulars Details
Types of designs Industrial designs covering the ornamental/aesthetic features of useful articles.
Novelty An industrial design must be new under the applicable provisions of the Harare Protocol and the national laws of the designated States.
Multiple designs Multiple designs may be filed where the requirements under the applicable ARIPO rules are satisfied.
Convention priority 6-month priority may be claimed under the Paris Convention.
Classification Locarno Classification is used for industrial designs.
Examination The ARIPO Office undertakes formal examination. Substantive objections may be raised by designated States in accordance with the Harare Protocol and their national laws.
Designated-State objection period Each designated State has 6 months after notification to communicate that an ARIPO design registration will have no effect in its territory on permitted grounds.
Publication Following acceptance/registration, the design is published in the ARIPO Journal.
Opposition The Harare Protocol system operates primarily through objections by designated States during the prescribed 6-month period rather than a UAE-style centralized third-party opposition period.
Protection term Under the 2025 amended Harare Protocol, an ARIPO industrial design has a term of 15 years from the filing date, subject to payment of maintenance fees.
Annuities/maintenance Annual maintenance fees are payable.
Registration timeframe The ARIPO procedure provides for a 6-month designated-State examination/objection period, after which registration may proceed for non-objecting States. Overall timing depends on examination and any objections.
Requirements
  1. Completed ARIPO Form 28.
  2. Reproduction/representation of the industrial design.
  3. Designation of the Contracting States.
  4. Power of Attorney where required.
  5. Priority document where priority is claimed.
  6. Prescribed application/designation fees or undertaking to pay within the applicable period.

National Legislation

  • Kampala Protocol on Voluntary Registration of Copyright and Related Rights

Basic Information

Copyright Protection

  • Copyright protection is generally automatic upon creation of an eligible original work and is territorial.

  • ARIPO notes that copyright protection is governed by the laws of each individual territory.

  • Most ARIPO Member States protect categories including literary, artistic, musical, dramatic, software, audiovisual, and related works.

Works Commonly Protected Include

  • Literary works

  • Books and written works

  • Computer programs and software

  • Databases

  • Speeches and lectures

  • Dramatic works

  • Musical works

  • Audiovisual works

  • Sound recordings

  • Artistic works

  • Photographs

  • Architectural works

  • Applied-art works

  • Other qualifying original works under national legislation

Exceptions to Copyright Protection

  • The precise exclusions and limitations are governed by the national law of each ARIPO Member State.

Duration of Copyright

  • There is no single ARIPO-wide copyright term currently in force.

  • The duration depends on the national law applicable in each Member State.

Registration

  • The Kampala Protocol contemplates voluntary regional registration.

  • As the Protocol has not yet entered into force, copyright registration/deposit should currently be handled under the relevant national system.

Requirements

  1. Power of Attorney – simply signed where representation is used.

  2. ONDA application/deposit form appropriate to the type of work.

  3. Copy/specimen of the work

  4. Applicant/author details

  5. Assignment deed, where the applicant is not the author/right holder, where applicable.

  6. Supporting documents establishing ownership or chain of title, where applicable.

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