ARIPO Banjul Protocol: One Application, 22 African States

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The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) Banjul Protocol offers one of the most cost-effective routes to trademark protection across East, Central and Southern Africa. This guide explains how it works, which countries are covered, and when it makes commercial sense.

What Is ARIPO?

ARIPO — the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization — is an intergovernmental organisation based in Harare, Zimbabwe. It administers two main IP protocols: the Harare Protocol for patents and industrial designs, and the Banjul Protocol for trademarks. ABA IP Consultants is an accredited ARIPO agent and can file directly under both protocols from our Dar es Salaam office.

ARIPO Member States (22 Countries)

The current ARIPO member states are: Botswana, Eswatini, Ethiopia (observer), Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe — plus The Gambia, Sudan and Eritrea for the Banjul Protocol specifically.

Tanzania and Kenya are the two largest economies in the group, making ARIPO an attractive route for brands entering East Africa.

How the Banjul Protocol Works

Under the Banjul Protocol, a single trademark application filed at the ARIPO Office (or through a local agent) can designate any number of ARIPO member states. ARIPO examines the application and, if acceptable, forwards it to the national trademark offices of the designated states. Each designated state then has 12 months to raise an objection under its national law. If no objection is raised, the ARIPO registration has effect in that state as if it were a national registration.

Cost Comparison: ARIPO vs National Filings

For businesses seeking protection in 3 or more ARIPO member states, a single Banjul Protocol application is almost always cheaper than filing separately in each national registry. For example, filing in Tanzania (BRELA), Kenya (KIPI) and Uganda (URSB) individually would cost approximately USD 800–1,200 in official fees alone. A single ARIPO application designating all three states costs approximately USD 450–600 in official fees — a saving of 40–50% before professional fees.

The savings increase significantly as you add more designated states. For a brand seeking protection in 8–10 ARIPO states, the Banjul Protocol filing can be 60–70% cheaper than the equivalent national filings.

Limitations of the Banjul Protocol

The Banjul Protocol has some important limitations to be aware of. First, not all ARIPO member states have ratified the Banjul Protocol — you should confirm current membership before filing. Second, unlike the EU trademark (which creates a unitary right), an ARIPO registration is not a single regional right — it is a bundle of national rights in each designated state. This means that the mark can be attacked on a country-by-country basis, and use requirements are assessed nationally. Third, because each national office examines the mark independently, the outcome in each state is not guaranteed — one state may reject the mark while others accept it.

Official Fees (2026)

ARIPO filing fees are set by the ARIPO Office and are updated periodically. See our Official Fees page for the current ARIPO fee schedule including designation fees per member state.

How We Can Help

ABA IP Consultants is an accredited ARIPO direct agent. We can file Banjul Protocol applications from Dar es Salaam without the need for an intermediary Zimbabwean agent — reducing cost and turnaround time. Contact us to discuss your brand protection strategy across East Africa.