WIPO - PCT Applicant's Guide OA - African Intellectual Property Organization
African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI)

    Applicable as from July 3, 2026
    (published on July 3, 2026)

    Summary of latest changes in this version
    Useful information: List of abbreviations
    GENERAL INFO: Contact details, Means of telecommunication, Notifications via e-mail, PCT Types of protection, Information of interest for DO/EO
    RO: RO fees (with effect since 1 January 2025)
    BIO: New Annex
    Summary of requirements for entry into the national phase: IA copy required, National fees (with effect since 1 January 2025), Agent
    The procedure in the national Phase: Various
    Annexes: National fees (with effect since 1 January 2025), New form
    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 Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI)
    BAR: Agreement Relating to the Revision of the Bangui Agreement dated 14 December 2015 instituting an African Intellectual Property Organization
    BAR I: Annex I, Patents, to the said Agreement
    BAR II: Annex II, Utility Models, to the said Agreement
    AI: Administrative Instructions under the said Agreement
    RR: Regulations Relating to the Restoration of Rights of December 2004
    RHCA: Regulations Relating to the Organization and Functioning of the High Commission of Appeals
    List of currencies used in this document:
    CHF (Swiss franc), XAF (CFA franc BEAC)
    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 Intellectual Property Organization
    Two-letter code:
    OA
    Name of Office:
    African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI)
    Location:
    Place de la Préfecture
    Yaoundé
    Cameroon
    Mailing address:
    B.P. 887
    Yaoundé
    Cameroon
    Telephone:
    (237) 222 20 57 00 (landline)
    (237) 677 11 40 84 (mobile)
    E-mail:
    oapi@oapi.int
    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?
    Yes
    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:
    At the choice of the applicant IB or OA, refer to Annex C.
    BF,
    BJ,
    CF,
    CG,
    CI,
    CM,
    GA,
    GN,
    GQ,
    GW,
    KM,
    ML,
    MR,
    NE,
    SN,
    TD,
    TG
    Does national legislation restrict the filing of international applications with foreign Offices?
    Refer to the Office
    Competent designated (or elected) Office(s) for this State:
    Refer to National Phase.
    OA
    Types of protection available via the PCT:
    OAPI patents
    OAPI certificates of addition
    OAPI certificates of registration of utility model registration
    OAPI certificates of improvements
    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:
    None
    Information of interest if this Contracting State is designated (or elected)
    Time when the name and address of the inventor must be given:
    Must be in the request if the inventor has not renounced in writing the right to be named. If the data concerning the inventor are not in the request, the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement and to pay a fee within a time limit fixed in the invitation. In any case, a patent may not be granted before the required corrections have been made.
    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:
    BF,
    BJ,
    CF,
    CG,
    CI,
    CM,
    GA,
    GN,
    GQ,
    GW,
    KM,
    ML,
    MR,
    NE,
    SN,
    TD,
    TG
    Language in which international applications may be filed:
    If the language in which the international application is filed is not accepted by the International Searching Authority (refer to Annex D), the applicant will have to furnish a translation (PCT Rule 12.3).
    English,
    French
    Language in which the request may be filed:
    English,
    French
    Number of copies required by the receiving Office if the international application is filed on paper:
    1
    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.
    For the relevant notifications by the Office, refer to the Official Notices (PCT Gazette) dated 12 January 2023, pages 10 et seq.
    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, refer to the Office
    Competent International Searching Authority:
    AT,
    EP,
    RU,
    SE
    Competent International Preliminary Examining Authority:
    AT,
    RU,
    SE

    EP
    The Office is competent only if the international search is or has been carried out by that Office, the Austrian Patent Office or the Swedish Intellectual Property Office (PRV).
    Fees payable to the RO:
    Transmittal fee:
    50,000 XAF
    International filing fee:
    This fee is reduced by 90% if certain conditions apply (refer to Annex C(IB)).
    Equivalent in XAF of 1,330 CHF
    Fee per sheet in excess of 30:
    This fee is reduced by 90% if certain conditions apply (refer to Annex C(IB)).
    Equivalent in XAF of 15 CHF
    Reductions (under Schedule of Fees, item 4):
    Electronic filing (the request in character coded format):
    Equivalent in XAF of 200 CHF
    Electronic filing (the request, description, claims and abstract in character coded format):
    Equivalent in XAF of 300 CHF
    Search fee:
    Equivalent in XAF of the search fee payable to the International Searching Authority chosen by the applicant:
    Refer to
    Annex D(AT)
    Annex D(EP)
    Annex D(RU)
    Annex D(SE)
    Fee for priority document (PCT Rule 17.1(b)):
    60,000 XAF
    — in excess of 10 pages
    per page, plus 15,000 XAF
    Fee for requesting restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 26bis.3(d)):
    Please refer to the Office.
    Is an agent required by the receiving Office?
    No, if the applicant resides in an OAPI Member State
    Yes, if the applicant does not reside in an OAPI Member State
    Who can act as agent?
    A list of agents is available at: https://oapi.int/en/approved-agents/
    Any agent authorized to represent applicants before the OAPI
    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:
    https://www.wipo.int/documents/d/treaties/docs-en-registration-budapest-idalist.pdf (and the detailed requirements for each institution at: https://www.wipo.int/en/web/budapest-system/guide/section_d/subsection_c
    Notifications related thereto may be consulted under:
    https://www.wipo.int/en/web/treaties/registration/budapest/index
    Further information concerning the requirements of international depository authorities under the Budapest Treaty is available at:
    https://www.wipo.int/en/web/budapest-system/guide/index
    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):
    At the time of filing, separately from the application
    — any additional indications:
    At the time of filing, separately from the application
    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:
    None
    Additional information
    Deposits may be made for the purposes of patent procedure before the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) with any depositary institution under the Budapest Treaty

    National Phase

    Summary of requirements for entry into the national phase

    Time limits applicable for entry into the national phase:
    Under PCT Article 22(1): 30 months from the priority date
    Under PCT Article 39(1)(a): 30 months from the priority date
    Does the Office permit reinstatement of rights (PCT Rule 49.6)?
    Yes, the Office permits reinstatement of rights
    Fee for reinstatement
    Refer to the Office
    Translation of international application required into (one of) the following language(s):
    Must be furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    English,
    French
    Required contents of the translation for entry into the national phase:
    Must be furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    Under PCT Article 22: Description, claims (if amended, as amended only, together with any statement under PCT Article 19), 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?
    A copy is required only if the Office has not received a copy of the international application from the International Bureau in accordance with PCT Article 20. This may occur when the applicant expressly requests early entry into the national phase under PCT Article 23(2) or 40(2).
    Does the Office accept color drawings under its national law?
    Refer to the Office
    National fees:
    The full list of national fees from the Office is available at the following addresses:
    https://oapi.int/en/the-applicable-taxes-on-patents-and-certificates-of-addition/
    https://oapi.int/en/applicable-taxes-on-utility-models/
    Patents
    Filing fee
    Must be paid within the time limits provided for in PCT Articles 22 and 39(1) and on the day of entry into the OAPI regional phase.
    225,000 XAF
    Examination fee
    250,000 XAF
    Fee for priority claims, per priority
    75,000 XAF
    Publication fee
    Must be paid on the day of entry into the OAPI regional phase and within the time limits provided for in PCT Articles 22 and 39(1).
    365,000 XAF
    Claim fee for each claim in excess of 10
    65,000 XAF
    Fee for acceptance of description and drawings:
    — for 11 to 20 sheets
    120,000 XAF
    — for 21 to 30 sheets
    300,000 XAF
    — for 31 to 40 sheets
    600,000 XAF
    — after 40 for each set of 10 sheets
    80,000 XAF
    Annual fees:
    Annual fees are calculated from the international filing date.
    — for the 2nd to the 3rd year, per year
    270,000 XAF
    Utility models
    Filing fee
    Must be paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    20,000 XAF
    Examination fee
    25,000 XAF
    Fee for priority claims, per priority
    25,000 XAF
    Publication fee
    Must be paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    30,000 XAF
    Claim fee for each claim in excess of 10
    45,000 XAF
    Annual fees:
    The Office should be consulted for the time limit applicable for the payment of this fee.
    — for the 2nd year
    20,000 XAF
    — for the 3rd year
    20,000 XAF
    Exemptions, reductions or refunds of fees:
    None
    Special requirements of the Office (PCT Rule 51bis):
    The list of special requirements is still subject to confirmation by the Office
    Name and address of the inventor if they have not been furnished in the “Request” part of the international application
    This requirement may be satisfied if the corresponding declaration has been made in accordance with PCT Rule 4.17.
    Appointment of an agent if the applicant is not resident in a member State of OAPI
    Translation of priority document into English or French
    Instrument of assignment of the priority application 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?
    A list of agents is available at: https://oapi.int/en/approved-agents/
    Any intellectual property attorney or agent registered to practice before the OAPI
    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

    OA.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).
    Any correction of an error on the application after entry into the OAPI regional phase entails the payment of a related correction fee.
    OA.02 FEES (MANNER OF PAYMENT)
    The complete lists of fees charged by the Office for patents and utility models are available at the following addresses:
    https://oapi.int/en/the-applicable-taxes-on-patents-and-certificates-of-addition/
    https://oapi.int/en/applicable-taxes-on-utility-models/
    The payment of fees to OAPI must be made in CFA francs. Fees can be paid in cash, by bank check, bank transfer, deposit into an account, or electronic payment. All payments must include the application number (the regional number assigned by the Office if already known, or the international number if the regional number is not yet known).
    OA.03 ANNUAL FEES
    BAR I Art. 44 al. 1,
    BAR I Art. 44 al. 2,
    AI No 1.48,
    AI No 1.49,
    AI No 1.50,
    AI No 1.51

    Annual fees must be paid for each year, starting from the first anniversary of the international filing date. For the payment deadlines regarding annual fees for the second and third years, please refer to the Summary. Payment of annual fees for subsequent years must be made no later than each anniversary date of the international filing. Payment may still be made within a period of six months after the deadline, subject to a surcharge for late payment. For the amounts, refer to the links in paragraph OA.02 and to Annex OA.I.
    OA.04 POWER OF ATTORNEY
    BAR Art. 8 al. 4,
    AI No 0.17,
    AI No 0.18,
    AI No 0.19,
    AI No 0.20,
    AI No 0.21

    An agent must be appointed by filing a power of attorney. A model is given in Annex OA.II.
    OA.05 EXAMINATION
    BAR art. 10, BAR I art. 23, BAR II art. 21
    The Office examines patent applications and applications for utility model registration certificates as to substance. The examination is subject to the payment of a fee, the amount of which is specified in the Office's schedule of fees (refer to the links in paragraph OA.02 and to Annex OA.I).
    OA.06 AMENDMENT OF THE APPLICATION; TIME LIMITS
    PCT Article 28,
    PCT Article 41

    The applicant may amend the description, claims and drawings of the application, provided that the subject matter of the application is not broadened thereby, until the later of the following two events:
    (i) the expiration of six months from the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1),
    (ii) the final decision of OAPI to grant a patent.
    The amendments must be made by means of replacement sheets and are subject to the payment of a fee whose amount is indicated in the Office's schedule of fees (refer to the links in paragraph OA.02 and to Annex OA.I).
    OA.07 REVIEW UNDER ARTICLE 25 OF THE PCT
    PCT Article 25,
    PCT Rule 51,
    BAR I art. 27 al. 8,
    RHCA art. 1,
    RHCA art. 2

    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, OAPI denies an error or an omission on the part of the receiving Office or the International Bureau, an appeal against this decision may be lodged within one month from the notification of the decision. A fee for appeal (refer to Annex OA.I) must be paid at the same time. The High Commission of Appeal of OAPI will then decide on the appeal.
    OA.08 EXCUSE OF DELAYS IN MEETING TIME LIMITS
    PCT Article 24(2),
    PCT Article 48(2),
    BAR I art. 45,
    RR art. 5

    Reference is made to paragraphs NP 6.022 to NP 6.027 of the National Phase. Where the applicant, in spite of all due care required by the circumstances having been taken, was unable to meet the time limits for entry into the national phase under PCT Article 22 or 39, he may file a request for restoration of his rights. Likewise, if he was not able to meet the time limit for payment of an annual fee for causes beyond his control, he may file a request for restoration of his rights at the latest 24 months after the expiration of the time limit.
    OA.09 UTILITY MODEL
    PCT Article 4(3),
    PCT Article 43,
    BAR II Art. 22(3)

    Subject to what is said in paragraph OA.11, if the applicant wishes to obtain a utility model registration certificate instead of a patent invention, on the basis of an international application, it must be indicated in the international application (in Box No. V of the request) when filed.
    However, the OAPI does not issue both a patent and a utility model registration certificate for the same invention.
    OA.10
    BAR II Art. 22(3)
    The requirements for the national phase are basically the same as for patents, except that it is the fees for utility models which must be paid.
    OA.11
    BAR II art. 12,
    BAR II art. 20,
    AI 2.21

    Where, in the case referred to in paragraph OA.08, the international application
    (i) is not restricted to a single principal subject, the applicant must, at the latest before the expiration of six months from the date of the notification from OAPI that the application cannot be accepted as presented on the grounds of not having one principal subject, divide the application into the required number of applications benefiting from the international filing date;
    PCT Rule 7.2,
    PCT Article 7(2)(ii)

    (ii) does not contain drawings, the applicant must furnish the drawings within two months from the date of the notification from OAPI. Where an international application for a patent is converted into a utility model application (refer to the next paragraph), the drawing(s) must be submitted with the request for conversion.
    OA.12 CONVERSION
    BAR I art. 12,
    BAR II art. 20,
    AI 2.21

    An international application for a patent may be converted into a utility model application after the applicant has compiled with the requirements for entering the national phase for a patent application as indicated in the Summary. The conversion is subject to the payment of a fee for conversion indicated in the Office's schedule of fees (refer to the links in paragraph OA.02 and to Annex OA.I).

    Annexes

    Annex OA.I - Fees
    The full list of national fees from the Office is available at the following addresses:
    https://oapi.int/en/the-applicable-taxes-on-patents-and-certificates-of-addition/
    https://oapi.int/en/applicable-taxes-on-utility-models/
    Patents
    Filing fee
    225,000 XAF
    Examination fee
    250,000 XAF
    Publication fee
    365,000 XAF
    Fee for acceptance of description and drawings:
    — from 11 to 20 pages
    120,000 XAF
    — from 21 to 30 pages
    300,000 XAF
    — from 31 to 40 pages
    600,000 XAF
    — and for each additional set of 10 sheets
    80,000 XAF
    Claim fee for each claim in excess of 10
    65,000 XAF
    Fee for claiming the priority of one or several earlier applications, per priority claim
    75,000 XAF
    Annual fees:
    — for the 2nd to the 5th year, per year
    270,000 XAF
    — for the 6th to the 10th year, per year
    400,000 XAF
    — for the 11th to the 15th year, per year
    525,000 XAF
    — for the 16th to the 20th year, per year
    675,000 XAF
    Supplement for late payment of annual fee
    70,000 XAF
    Fee for amendment or correction of errors of substance in the request, description, claims, abstract or drawings
    40,000 XAF
    Fee for restoration of rights:
    (a) in connection with a priority claim:
    — fault attributable to agent
    650,000 XAF
    — fault attributable to applicant or any other circumstances
    375,000 XAF
    (b) in the case of lapse for non-payment of annual fee within the prescribed time limits:
    — fault attributable to agent
    650,000 XAF
    — fault attributable to applicant or any other circumstances
    375,000 XAF
    Appeal fee
    960,000 XAF
    Utility models
    Filing fee
    20,000 XAF
    Examination fee
    25,000 XAF
    Publication fee
    30,000 XAF
    Fee for claiming the priority of one or more earlier applications, per priority claimed
    25,000 XAF
    Fee for conversion of a patent into a utility model
    50,000 XAF
    Fee for amendment or correction of errors of substance in the description or drawings:
    18,000 XAF
    Fee for restoration in connection with a priority claim not having been effected within the prescribed time limits:
    — fault attributable to agent
    260,000 XAF
    — fault attributable to applicant or any other circumstances
    100,000 XAF
    How can payment of fees be effected?
    The payment of fees to OAPI has to be effected in CFA francs. Payment of fees can be made by cash payment, check, Bank transfer, deposit account or electronic payment. All payments must give the application number (national if already known; international if the national number is not yet known). Bank transfer must be effected on OAPI accounts below:
    Bank
    AFRILAND FIRST BANK
    Yaoundé
    IBAN
    CM21 10005 00001 00118361001 47
    SWIFT
    CCEICMCX
    Bank
    BGFI BANK
    Yaoundé
    IBAN
    CM21 10035 01200 50001646011 90
    SWIFT
    BGFICMCX
    Bank
    UBA CFA
    Yaoundé
    IBAN
    CM21 10033 05207 07003000016 87
    SWIFT
    UNAFCMCX
    Bank
    SCB CAM
    Yaoundé
    IBAN
    CM21 10002 00031 09212713150 42
    SWIFT
    CRLYCMCXXXX
    Bank
    SGBC
    Yaoundé
    IBAN
    CM21 10003 00200 29009003489 14
    SWIFT
    SGCMCMCX
    Bank
    BICEC
    Yaoundé
    IBAN
    CM21 10001 06860 12301560000 43
    SWIFT
    ICLRCMCX
    Bank
    ECOBANK
    Yaoundé
    IBAN
    CM21 10029 26011 01300051802 12
    SWIFT
    ECOCCMCX
    Bank
    ECOBANK
    Douala
    IBAN
    CM21 10029 00001 01300051801 31
    SWIFT
    ECOCCMCX
    Forms
    Refer to https://oapi.int/en/protect-the-pi/forms/.
    Forms are maintained by the Office.
    Annex OA.II - Power of attorney
    Current version applicable from July 3, 2026 , printed on July 8, 2026
    3.0 #96 - 2026-07-06T09:03:45.047+02:00