WIPO - PCT Applicant's Guide AP - African Regional Intellectual Property Organization
African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO)

    Applicable as from 17 July 2025
    (published on 29 September 2025)

    Summary of latest changes in this version
    (with effect since 1 March 2025)
    GENERAL INFO: Contact details, Means of telecommunication
    RO: RO fees
    Summary of requirements for entry into the national phase: Reinstatement of rights, National fees
    The procedure in the national Phase: Various
    Annexes: Various
    List of changes

    All available versions

    Useful information

    The PCT Applicant’s Guide is updated almost every week with information received by the International Bureau.
    In case of question, please contact the Office or the International Bureau: pct.guide@wipo.int.
    List of abbreviations used in this document:
    Office: African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO)
    HP: Protocol on Patents and Industrial Designs within the Framework of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) (Harare Protocol)
    HR: Regulations for Implementing the Harare Protocol
    HAI: Administrative Instructions under the Regulations for Implementing the Harare Protocol
    List of currencies used in this document:
    USD (US dollar)
    Countries and Offices information:
    The list of acronyms used for Offices is no longer shown as it has been integrated in the mouseover functionality for each ST.3 code shown in this document.
    Refer to List of WIPO Standards, Recommendations and Guidelines formerly Annex K, List of country names and two-letter codes. It includes a list of short names and two-letter codes accepted for use in indicating States, other entities and intergovernmental organizations and their Offices in documents relating to international applications under the PCT. The list is as set out in WIPO Standard ST.3.
    Also refer to PCT Contracting States formerly Annex A.
    Office profile
    For more technical information about the Office, refer to ePCT Office profile.
    PCT Reservations, Declarations, Notifications and Incompatibilities
    The Office does not have any reservations, declarations, notifications or incompatibilities.
    Refer to the full list.
    Office Closed dates
    The Office is closed weekly on Saturday and Sunday
    Additional closed dates can be consulted on the Office Closed dates page

    International Phase

    Annex B - Information on Contracting States or Intergovernmental Organization

    Organization:
    African Regional Intellectual Property Organization
    Two-letter code:
    AP
    Name of Office:
    African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO)
    Location:
    11 Natal Road
    Belgravia
    Harare
    Zimbabwe
    Mailing address:
    P.O. Box 4228
    Harare
    Zimbabwe
    Telephone:
    (263-242) 79 40 54
    (263-242) 79 40 65
    (263-242) 79 40 68
    E-mail:
    mail@aripo.org
    for filing of documents only:
    registry@aripo.org
    Online contact service:
    Website:
    Facsimile:
    None
    Does the Office accept the filing of documents by facsimile or the like means (PCT Rule 92.4)?
    No
    Does the Office send notifications via e-mail in respect of international applications?
    No
    Would the Office accept evidence of mailing a document, in case of loss or delay, where a delivery service other than the postal authorities is used (PCT Rule 82.1)?
    Yes
    Is the Office prepared to allow applicants to make applications available to the WIPO Digital Access Service for Priority Documents (DAS) (PCT Rule 17.1(b-bis)?
    More information about WIPO DAS is available at: https://www.wipo.int/en/web/das.
    No
    Competent receiving Office(s) for international applications filed by nationals or residents of the following States:
    The applicant may also choose to file with the national Office of the country (except GM, MZ, SL, SZ, TZ, UG) of which he is a national or resident or with the IB (Refer to Annex C).
    BW,
    CV,
    GH,
    GM,
    KE,
    LR,
    LS,
    MW,
    MZ,
    NA,
    RW,
    SC,
    SD,
    SL,
    ST,
    SZ,
    TZ,
    UG,
    ZM,
    ZW
    Competent designated and elected Office for:
    Refer to National Phase AP.
    BW,
    CV,
    GH,
    GM,
    KE,
    LR,
    LS,
    MW,
    MZ,
    NA,
    RW,
    SC,
    SD,
    SL,
    ST,
    SZ,
    TZ,
    UG,
    ZM,
    ZW
    Types of protection available via the PCT:
    ARIPO patents,
    ARIPO utility models (a utility model may be sought instead of or in addition to a patent)
    Payment methods accepted by the Office:
    Refer to the Office
    Availability under the national law for an international-type search (PCT Article 15):
    None
    Provisional protection after international publication:
    Refer to Annex B for provisional protection available under the national law of each State party to both the PCT and the Harare Protocol
    Information of interest if this Contracting State is designated (or elected)
    Time when the name and address of the inventor must be given:
    May be in the request or may be furnished later. If not already complied with within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1), the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement within two months from the date of the invitation.
    Are there special provisions concerning the deposit of microorganisms and other biological material?
    Yes, refer to Annex L.

    Annex C - Receiving Office

    Competent receiving Office for nationals and residents of:
    BW,
    CV,
    GH,
    GM,
    KE,
    LR,
    LS,
    MW,
    MZ,
    NA,
    RW,
    SC,
    SD,
    SL,
    ST,
    SZ,
    TZ,
    UG,
    ZM,
    ZW
    Language in which international applications may be filed:
    English
    Language accepted for language-dependent free text in the sequence listing:
    Same as above
    Language in which the request may be filed:
    Not applicable
    Number of copies required by the receiving Office if the international application is filed on paper:
    3
    Does the receiving Office accept the filing of international applications in electronic form?
    Where the international application is filed in electronic form in accordance with and to the extent provided for in Part 7 and Annex F of the Administrative Instructions, the total amount of the international filing fee is reduced (refer to “Fees payable to the RO”).
    Where the international application contains a sequence listing as a separate part of the description, this should be furnished in accordance with Annex C of the Administrative Instructions, that is, in compliance with WIPO Standard ST.26 XML format; no fees are due for sequence listings filed in this format. If the receiving Office does not accept international applications in electronic form in such format, the international application will be transmitted to the International Bureau as receiving Office (PCT Rule 19.4(a)(ii-bis)).
    For the relevant notifications by the Office, refer to the Official Notices (PCT Gazette) dated 9 July 2020, pages 150 et seq. and 6 October 2022, page 277.
    Yes, the Office accepts electronic filing via ePCT-Filing
    Does the receiving Office accept the submission of pre-conversion documents and, if yes, in which format (Section 706 of the PCT Administrative Instructions)?
    Yes, any format
    Does the receiving Office accept incorporation by reference (PCT Rule 20.6)?
    Yes
    Does the receiving Office accept the submission of color drawings on an informal basis and transmit them to the International Bureau?
    Yes
    Does the receiving Office accept requests for restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 26bis.3)?
    Yes, please refer to the Office for the applicable criteria and/or any fee payable for such requests
    Competent International Searching Authority:
    AT,
    EP,
    SE
    Competent International Preliminary Examining Authority:
    AT,
    EP,
    SE
    Fees payable to the RO:
    Transmittal fee:
    100 USD
    or equivalent in the local currency of any ARIPO Contracting State where the applicant is resident
    International filing fee:
    This fee is reduced by 90% if certain conditions apply (refer to Annex C(IB)).
    1,603 USD
    Fee per sheet in excess of 30:
    This fee is reduced by 90% if certain conditions apply (refer to Annex C(IB)).
    18 USD
    Reductions (under Schedule of Fees, item 4):
    Electronic filing (the request in character coded format):
    241 USD
    Electronic filing (the request, description, claims and abstract in character coded format):
    362 USD
    Search fee:
    Refer to
    Annex D(AT)
    Annex D(EP)
    Annex D(SE)
    Fee for priority document (PCT Rule 17.1(b)):
    500 USD
    or equivalent in local currency of any ARIPO Contracting State where applicant is resident
    Is an agent required by the receiving Office?
    No, if the applicant resides in or has his principal place of business in an ARIPO Contracting State
    Yes, if neither his residence nor his principal place of business is within the territory of one of the ARIPO Contracting States
    Who can act as agent?
    Any agent authorized to represent applicants before the national Office of an ARIPO Contracting State
    Waiver of power of attorney:
    Has the Office waived the requirement that a separate power of attorney be submitted?
    Refer to the Office
    Has the Office waived the requirement that a copy of a general power of attorney be submitted?
    Refer to the Office

    Annex L - Deposits of Microorganisms and Other Biological Material

    Requirements of designated and elected Offices
    Only Offices whose applicable national law contains provisions concerning the deposits of microorganisms and other biological material are listed in Annex L. Unless otherwise indicated, deposits may be made for the purposes of patent procedure before these Offices with any depositary institution having acquired the status of international depositary authority under the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure.
    For a list of these institutions refer to:
    http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/registration/budapest/pdf/idalist.pdf (and the detailed requirements for each institution at: https://www.wipo.int/budapest/en/guide/section_d/subsection_c.html)
    Notifications related thereto may be consulted under:
    http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/registration/budapest/
    Further information concerning the requirements of international depository authorities under the Budapest Treaty is available at:
    http://www.wipo.int/budapest/en/guide/index.html
    Time (if any) earlier than 16 months from priority date by which applicant must furnish:
    — the indications prescribed in Rule 13bis.3(a)(i) to (iii):
    None
    — any additional indications:
    At the time of filing
    Additional indications (if any) which must be given besides those prescribed in Rule 13bis.3(a)(i) to (iii) pursuant to notifications from the Office:
    To the extent available to the applicant, relevant information on the characteristics of the microorganism
    Additional information
    Deposits may also be made for the purposes of patent procedure before ARIPO with any depositary institution.

    National Phase

    Summary of requirements for entry into the national phase

    Time limits applicable for entry into the national phase:
    Under PCT Article 22(3): 31 months from the priority date
    Under PCT Article 39(1)(b): 31 months from the priority date
    Does the Office permit reinstatement of rights (PCT Rule 49.6)?
    The national legislation of this Office refers to “restoration of rights”.
    Yes, the Office permits reinstatement of rights under the “due care" criterion.
    Fee for reinstatement of rights
    600 USD
    Translation of international application required into (one of) the following language(s):
    Must be furnished within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    English
    Required contents of the translation for entry into the national phase:
    Must be furnished within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    Under PCT Article 22: Description, claims (if amended, as amended only), any text matter of drawings, abstract
    Under PCT Article 39(1): Description, claims, any text matter of drawings, abstract (if any of those parts has been amended, only as amended by the annexes to the international preliminary examination report)
    Is a copy of the international application required in particular circumstances?
    Yes
    Does the Office accept color drawings under its national law?
    Refer to the Office
    National fees:
    Patents
    Filing fee
    Must be paid within 14 days from the expiration of the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    online 232 USD
    on paper 290 USD
    Designation fee
    per country 100 USD
    Annual fees:
    The Office should be consulted for the time limit applicable for the payment of this fee.
    — for the 1st year
    50 USD
    — for the 2nd year
    70 USD
    — for the 3rd year
    90 USD
    Utility models
    Filing fee
    Must be paid within 14 days from the expiration of the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    online 80 USD
    on paper 100 USD
    Designation fee
    per country 20 USD
    Maintenance fees:
    — for the 1st year
    20 USD
    — for the 2nd year
    25 USD
    — for the 3rd year
    30 USD
    Exemptions, reductions or refunds of fees:
    For applications filed on or before 1 January 2017, no search or examination fee is payable, if an international search report or preliminary examination report has been established for the international application.
    Special requirements of the Office (PCT Rule 51bis):
    If not complied with within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1), the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement within a time limit fixed in the invitation.
    Appointment of an agent if the applicant is not resident in an ARIPO Contracting State
    Assignment deed of the priority right where the applicants are not identical
    This requirement may be satisfied if the corresponding declaration has been made in accordance with PCT Rule 4.17.
    Who can act as agent?
    Any agent authorized to represent applicants before the national Office of an ARIPO Contracting State
    Does the Office accept the effect of restoration of the right of priority by the receiving Office (PCT Rule 49ter.1)?
    Yes
    Does the Office accept requests for restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 49ter.2)?
    Yes, please refer to the Office for the applicable criteria and/or any fee payable for such requests

    The procedure in the national Phase

    AP.01 TRANSLATION (CORRECTION)
    Errors in the translation of the international application can be corrected with reference to the text of the international application as filed (refer to National Phase, paragraphs NP 6.002 and NP 6.003).
    AP.02 FEES (MANNER OF PAYMENT)
    HP Sec. 4,
    HR 25,
    HR 36,
    HR 44,
    HR 45,
    HR 46,
    HR 48,
    HR 57,
    HR 76(1)(b),
    HR 92,
    HR 93,
    HR 94,
    HR 95,
    HR 96,
    HR 97

    The manner of payment of the fees indicated in the Summary and this Chapter is outlined in Annex AP.I.
    AP.03 EXAMINATION
    HP Sec. 4,
    HR 44,
    HR 45,
    HR 46,
    HR 47,
    HR 48,
    HR 49,
    HR 50,
    HR 51,
    HR 52,
    HR 53

    The Office will examine or arrange the examination of patent applications as to substance. A request for examination must be filed within three years from the international filing date. The request is subject to the payment of a fee which is indicated in Annex AP.I. Failure to make the request within the prescribed time limit will cause the application to lapse.
    AP.04 POWER OF ATTORNEY
    HR 28.2)(i),
    HR 72,
    HR 73

    An agent must be appointed by filing a power of attorney if the applicant is not a resident in a State member of ARIPO. A model is given in Annex AP.II. If the power of attorney is not filed at the time of entry into the national phase, it may be filed within two months from the expiration of that time limit.
    AP.05 AMENDMENT OF THE APPLICATION; TIME LIMITS
    PCT Article 28,
    PCT Article 41,
    HP Sec. 47,
    HR 55

    The applicant may amend or correct the claims, description and drawings in the international application provided that the scope of the subject matter of the application is not broadened thereby. The applicant may file voluntary amendments during the processing of the international application and after grant. Such amendments are subject to the payment of a fee as indicated in Annex AP.I.
    AP.06
    HP Sec. 45.4),
    HR 50

    Where, after taking due account of the international search and international preliminary examination reports, the Office concludes that the application does not comply with the criteria for patentability, it will notify the applicant accordingly and invite him to submit his observations and, where needed, amendments to the application together with a request that the matter be reconsidered. The Office will allow four months for the submission of the observations and amendments.
    AP.07 CONVERSION INTO NATIONAL APPLICATION
    HP Sec. 53,
    HR 74

    If notwithstanding the request for reconsideration referred to in paragraph AP.06, the Office refuses the application, the applicant may, within three months from the date of the refusal of the request for reconsideration, request that his application be treated, in any designated member State, as an application according to the national law of that State. The request must specify the designated States in which the procedure for the grant of a national patent is desired, and must be submitted in the number of copies which should correspond to the number of the designated States specified, plus one copy for the Office. The Office will transmit copies of the application and all relevant documents to the national Offices of the designated States specified by the applicant. The request for the conversion of an ARIPO application to a national application is subject to the payment of a fee indicated in Annex AP.I.
    AP.08 ANNUAL FEES
    HP Sec. 21,
    HR 36,
    HR 76(1)(b)

    Annual fees are due on or before each anniversary of the international filing date. The Office will issue a reminder to the applicant concerning payment of the annual fee at least one month prior to the date on which the annual fee is due. Subject to the payment of a surcharge (for the amount, refer to Annex AP.I), annual fees may be paid up to six months after the date. Any annual fee that falls due during the international phase need not be paid until the expiration of the applicable time limit for the entry into the national phase.
    AP.09 ARIPO DESIGNATION FEES
    HR 25(2),
    HAI 17(2)

    The applicant must pay one ARIPO designation fee (indicated in Annex AP.I.) for each State designated in the international application for an ARIPO patent for which he, at the time the payment is made, continues to seek ARIPO patent protection. Where the ARIPO designation fees are not paid for all the States designated for an ARIPO patent, the applicant must indicate the States to which the designation fees are to be applied. Where the amount of designation fees paid is not sufficient to cover all the States designated in the application, the amount paid shall be applied in respect of the States designated in the order in which they are designated and to the extent to which they are covered by the fee paid; the late payment in full of a designation fee shall be subject to the payment of the surcharge indicated in Annex AP.I.
    AP.10 REVIEW UNDER ARTICLE 25 OF THE PCT
    PCT Article 25,
    PCT Rule 51,
    HP Sec. 45(4),
    HP Sec. 48(4)(a)

    The applicable procedure is outlined in paragraphs NP 6.018 to NP 6.021 of the National Phase. If, upon review under PCT Article 25, the Office denies an error or omission on the part of the receiving Office or the International Bureau, an appeal against this decision may be lodged with the Office.
    AP.11 EXCUSE OF DELAYS IN MEETING TIME LIMITS
    PCT Article 24(2),
    PCT Article 48(2),
    PCT Rule 82bis,
    HR 65

    Reference is made to paragraphs NP 6.022 to NP 6.027 of the National Phase. At the Director General’s discretion, the applicant may be given an extension of any time limit prescribed by the Regulations and the Administrative Instructions. Such extension may be granted even if the time limit has already expired.
    AP.12
    HP Sec. 55,
    HR 66

    The national legislation of this Office refers to “restoration of rights”.
    Reinstatement of rights may be requested where the applicant lost any right because, in spite of all due care required by the circumstances having been taken, failed to comply with a time limit before the office. A request for reinstatement of rights must be filed within two months after the removal of the cause of the failure to perform the action, but not later than one year from the expiration of the time limit which has not been observed. Within the said time limits, the omitted act must be completed, the fee for reinstatement (refer to Annex AP.I) must be paid, and the request must state the grounds on which it is based and must set out the facts on which it relies. Reinstatement of rights is not applicable to the time limit for claiming priority.
    AP.13 UTILITY MODEL
    PCT Rule 49bis.1,
    PCT Rule 49bis.1(a),
    PCT Rule 49bis.1(b),
    PCT Rule 76.5

    If the applicant wishes to obtain a utility model registration in ARIPO on the basis of an international application
    (i) instead of a patent, or
    (ii) in addition to a patent,
    the applicant, when performing the acts referred to in Article 22 or Article 39, shall so indicate to the Office.
    AP.14
    If the international application is for a utility model instead of a patent, the requirements are basically the same as for patents. The time limit applicable for entry into the national phase is 31 months under PCT Article 22 or 39(1), however, the term of protection of utility models is 10 years from the international filing date.
    AP.15
    If the international application is for both a utility model and a patent, the applicant must, within the time limit applicable for entry into the national phase, comply with the following requirements:
    (i) pay two filing fees for both the patent and the utility model within 14 days from entry into the national phase;
    (ii) where the international application was not filed in English, furnish a translation into English in two copies, including the description and at least one claim.
    AP.16 CONVERSION
    HP Sec. 54,
    HR 74,
    HAI 52(2),
    HAI 52(3)

    An international application for a patent may be converted into a utility model application and vice versa. Conversion from a patent application into a utility model application must be undertaken within three months from the date of entry into the national phase. However, the applicant can still apply to the ARIPO if the three months time limit has expired for the conversion, as long as the patent application has not yet been examined as to substance. A fee for requesting conversion is due (refer to Annex AP.I).

    Annexes

    Annex AP.I - Fees
    Patents
    National fee, comprising:
    — basic fee (application fee)
    online filing 232 USD
    paper filing 290 USD
    — designation fee for each ARIPO Contracting State designated
    100 USD
    Prior art search fee
    300 USD
    Request for substantive examination
    1,000 USD
    Publication or republication
    500 USD
    — surcharge for each additional page from 31 to 100 pages
    20 USD
    — surcharge for each additional page from 101
    30 USD
    — surcharge for each additional claim from 11 to 50 claims
    100 USD
    — surcharge for each additional claim from 51
    200 USD
    Grant fee
    500 USD
    Request for early grant and publication
    1,000 USD
    Fee for certified copy of ARIPO patent application or granted patent
    — electronic format
    200 USD
    — paper copy, up to 30 pages
    500 USD
    — in addition, from page 31 (paper copy)
    per page 20 USD
    Fee for registration of assignments, transmissions, amendments, etc
    200 USD
    Fee for conversion of an ARIPO patent application to a national application
    200 USD
    Fee for conversion of an ARIPO patent application to an ARIPO utility model application
    200 USD
    Request for reinstatement of rights
    The national legislation of this Office refers to “restoration of rights”.
    600 USD
    Annual fees in respect of each designated State (payable on each anniversary of the international filing date):
    — for the 1st anniversary
    50 USD
    — for the 2nd anniversary
    70 USD
    — for the 3rd anniversary
    90 USD
    — for the 4th anniversary
    110 USD
    — for the 5th anniversary
    130 USD
    — for the 6th anniversary
    150 USD
    — for the 7th anniversary
    170 USD
    — for the 8th anniversary
    190 USD
    — for the 9th anniversary
    210 USD
    — for the 10th anniversary
    230 USD
    — for the 11th anniversary
    250 USD
    — for the 12th anniversary
    270 USD
    — for the 13th anniversary
    290 USD
    — for the 14th anniversary
    310 USD
    — for the 15th anniversary
    330 USD
    — for the 16th anniversary
    380 USD
    — for the 17th anniversary
    430 USD
    — for the 18th anniversary
    480 USD
    — for the 19th anniversary
    530 USD
    — for the 20th anniversary
    580 USD
    Surcharge for late payment of annual fees
    40% of the fee to be paid
    Surcharge for late payment of any outstanding amount
    40% of the fee to be paid
    Request for alteration of name or address or for correction of error(s)
    — 1st request
    100 USD
    — 2nd request and subsequently thereafter
    per request 200 USD
    Fee for voluntary amendment during processing
    300 USD
    Request for post-grant amendment
    1,000 USD
    Request for copies of extracts from files (electronic copy)
    150 USD
    — additional fee for paper copy
    per page 50 USD
    Preparation of abstract
    200 USD
    Request for any extension
    — 1st request for extension
    200 USD
    — 2nd request for extension of the same case
    300 USD
    — 3rd request for extension of the same case
    400 USD
    — further requests for extensions of the same case
    per request 500 USD
    Search request fee (Status, Validity)
    200 USD
    Search request fee (Freedom to Operate, etc.)
    300 USD
    Change of representative
    per application 200 USD
    Request for replacement of lost or destroyed certificate
    300 USD
    Request for expedited or delayed examination
    1,000 USD
    Request for addition of designated States (per State)
    100 USD
    Request for reduction of designated States (per State)
    100 USD
    Re-examination after decision to grant
    1,000 USD
    Request for notification in non-electronic format
    per page 100 USD
    Appeal
    500 USD
    Fee for technical opinion
    3,000 USD
    Certificate of grant (paper copy)
    200 USD
    Utility models
    National fee, comprising:
    — basic fee (application fee):
    online filing 80 USD
    paper filing 100 USD
    — designation fee for each ARIPO member State designated
    20 USD
    Registration and publication fee
    50 USD
    Fee for certified copy of ARIPO utility model application
    per page 2 USD
    — and for every page in excess of 10
    1 USD
    Fee for registration of assignments, transmissions, amendments, etc
    30 USD
    — and for every page in excess of 10
    1 USD
    Fee for conversion of an ARIPO utility model application to a national application
    300 USD
    Maintenance fees in respect of each designated State:
    — for the 1st year
    20 USD
    — for the 2nd year
    25 USD
    — for the 3rd year
    30 USD
    — for the 4th year
    35 USD
    — for the 5th year
    40 USD
    — for the 6th year
    45 USD
    — for the 7th year
    50 USD
    — for the 8th year to the 10th year
    per year 10 USD
    Surcharge for late payment of maintenance fees
    30 USD
    — and for every month or fraction thereof that the fee remains unpaid
    5 USD
    How can payment of fees be effected?
    HR 92,
    HR 93,
    HR 94,
    HR 95,
    HR 96,
    HR 97

    The payment of fees to ARIPO must be effected in US dollars. All payments must give the application number (national if already known; international if the national number is not yet known). Payment of fees may be made by bank check or telegraphic transfer.
    Forms
    The following documents are maintained by the Office. Refer to the Office website (Annex B) for latest version and other languages.
    Annex AP.II - Power of attorney
    Current version applicable from 17 Jul 2025 , printed on 21 Oct 2025
    2.2 #31 - 2025-10-15T11:58:01.602+02:00