What is ARIPO, and which countries are part of it?

The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) was established to enable English-speaking African countries to collaborate by sharing resources and information on industrial property issues. The main goal of ARIPO is to promote technological progress that aids the economic and industrial growth of its member nations. This involves coordinating strategies that benefit all member countries, ensuring there is a skilled workforce knowledgeable in industrial property law, and providing training and development opportunities in this field.

The ARIPO treaty offers trademark protection in the following countries: Botswana, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Eswatini, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.