Protect your brand in Africa before it is too late
Trademark availability search, filing and full follow-up with OAPI or ARIPO. Your trademark can be protected in up to 17 countries through one single filing.
Reply within 24h · Starting from €800
Every day without a filing, someone else can register your trademark before you
In Africa, trademark rights generally belong to the first person who files — not the first person who uses the mark. If a competitor, distributor or third party files your name before you, you may lose the right to use it across the OAPI or ARIPO region. Recovering a trademark filed by someone else can cost thousands of euros in legal proceedings — and is never guaranteed.
One filing, dozens of countries protected
OAPI
A single filing in Yaoundé automatically covers the 17 member states. No need to file country by country.
ARIPO
Protection in anglophone and lusophone African countries through the Banjul Protocol. Ideal for startups operating across both regions.
From clearance search to certificate, we handle everything
A complete package to protect your trademark without having to manage the procedure yourself.
Trademark availability search
We check whether your trademark is available in the target region: OAPI or ARIPO. You receive an analysis report with recommendations if risks are identified.
Filing strategy advice
Selection of the Nice classes adapted to your business, recommendation on the right region: OAPI, ARIPO or both, and optimization of your protection.
Application preparation and filing
Drafting of the application, preparation of the complete file, and official filing with OAPI in Yaoundé or ARIPO in Harare.
Procedure follow-up
We monitor your file until the registration certificate is issued and manage any objections or requests for additional information.
Registration certificate
You receive the official certificate for your registered trademark, which can be used for contracts, fundraising and commercial protection.
From the form to your trademark certificate
Fill in the form
Your trademark name, target region and business sector. It only takes 2 minutes.
2 minTrademark availability search
We check the availability of your trademark in the OAPI or ARIPO region and send you a report.
3-5 daysOfficial filing
We prepare and file your complete application with the competent organization.
1-2 weeksCertificate issued
Your trademark is registered. You receive the official certificate digitally.
4-6 months (OAPI)What our clients say
“We chose African Legal Factory to support us with the filing of our OAPI trademark, as well as in Mauritius, South Africa and Nigeria. Throughout the entire process, we had a dynamic and attentive team by our side, which stood out for its professionalism and always put our company’s interests first. We are very satisfied with ALF’s services, and they continue to support us today with our next trademark filings in Asia and Southeast Asia.”
“I was very pleased to collaborate with Sonia and her team for the protection of our Sobrus trademark within OAPI. Beyond the careful follow-up of the formalities, Sonia provides high-quality advice with great responsiveness. I recommend her without hesitation.”
Our trademark filing guides
Guide: filing a trademark in Morocco
OMPIC procedures, Nice classes, timelines and costs — everything you need to know to protect your trademark in Morocco.
Guide: filing a trademark in Tunisia
INNORPI procedures, local specifics and protection strategy — the complete guide for Tunisia.
Trademark filing: your questions
OAPI covers 17 francophone African countries, including Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal and Gabon, through one single filing that automatically protects the trademark in all member states. ARIPO covers 22 mostly anglophone and lusophone countries, including Kenya, Tanzania and Ghana, through the Banjul Protocol. If your market covers both regions, we can handle both filings.
The trademark availability search takes 3 to 5 days. The application is filed within the following 1 to 2 weeks. Final registration by OAPI takes around 4 to 6 months. During this period, your trademark is protected from the filing date — this is the date that matters in case of dispute.
The Nice Classification divides goods and services into 45 classes. Each trademark must be registered in the classes corresponding to its activity. For example, a SaaS startup will generally file in classes 9 for software, 35 for business services and 42 for IT services. We advise you on the relevant classes to maximize your protection.
Yes. Filing a trademark that already exists in the same class may lead to rejection — and you lose the filing taxes. The availability search identifies risks upfront and allows you to adjust your strategy before spending money.
No. A filing with INPI in France or EUIPO in Europe does not cover Africa. Trademark law is territorial. To be protected in francophone Africa, you need a separate OAPI filing. This is exactly what we handle.
Yes. We regularly file OAPI trademark applications for anglophone African startups expanding into francophone markets. The entire process is handled remotely, and we provide all documents and communications in English. We can also file with ARIPO if you need protection across both regions.
A trademark registered with OAPI is protected for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely. We can support you with the renewal when the time comes.
In the OAPI system, the first person to file generally has priority, not the first person to use the name. If no one has filed your trademark yet, you can still protect it — but every day matters. The longer you wait, the greater the risk that a third party files it before you.
File your trademark in Africa today
Trademark availability search, filing and follow-up — everything is included in a fixed-fee package. 2-minute form, reply within 24h.
