ARIPO: Key Amendments to Banjul Protocol Effective 1 March 2026

HARARE - The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) announced key amendments to the Banjul Protocol that streamline patent processing, improve fee handling, and embed electronic filing across the system. The changes, which took effect on March 1, 2026, aim to make patent registration faster, more transparent, and more accessible for inventors and businesses across member states.

The amended Protocol introduces a shorter national examination window, reducing the time applicants wait for national phase entry decisions. This change is designed to accelerate the transition from regional application to national protection, enabling innovators to secure enforceable rights sooner. In addition, a new registration fee sequencing mechanism clarifies the order and timing of fee payments, simplifying financial planning for applicants and reducing administrative bottlenecks. Finally, ARIPO has integrated electronic filing into its operations, providing a secure, efficient digital route for filing, tracking, and managing patent applications.

The shorter national examination window aligns ARIPO’s timelines more closely with international best practices and is expected to reduce delays that can hinder commercialization and licensing. Under the new rules, applicants will receive national examination outcomes within a tighter, specified timeframe, enabling faster strategic decisions about prosecution and enforcement.

The registration fee sequencing standardizes when and how fees are collected during the application lifecycle. This reduces the risk of missed payments and administrative rejections, and it provides clearer guidance for applicants budgeting for multi-jurisdictional protection. The introduction of electronic filing delivers a modern, paperless workflow that increases accessibility for applicants, improves record-keeping, and supports secure remote transactions. The digital system includes features for application submission, fee payment, status monitoring, and official communications.