Intellectual property protection in ARIPO

ARIPO, or the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization is an intergovernmental union of African states created for cooperation in matters regarding patents, copyright, designs, utility models, traditional knowledge and trademarks. It has 22 members, which are mostly English-speaking countries: Botswana, Cape Verde, Eswatini, the Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe. The organization was created by the Lusaka Agreement in 1976.

The Harare Protocol on Patents and Industrial Designs
The Banjul Protocol on Marks
Swakopmund Protocol on the Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Expressions of Folklore
Arusha Protocol for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants
The Lusaka Agreement on the Creation of the Organization
Kampala Protocol on Voluntary Registration of Copyright and Related Rights

Patent Cooperation Treaty (all countries except Mauritius are members)
Paris Convention (all countries are members)

African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO)
11 Natal Road, Belgravia , P.O. Box 4228, Harare-Zimbabwe
Phone: +263 0242 794065
Fax: +263 4 794 072
Email:  mail@aripo.org
www.aripo.org

Fees associated with registration of IP rights in ARIPO are available in the fee calculator.