HARARE - Effective August 27, 2025, the Harare Protocol on Patents, Utility Models, and Industrial Designs has officially entered into force in the Republic of Mauritius, making it the 21st Contracting State to the Protocol, according to the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO). 

With this development, applicants using the ARIPO system can now designate Mauritius in their filings. In addition, nationals and residents of Mauritius are, as of the above-mentioned date, entitled to file patent, industrial design, and utility model applications directly with the ARIPO Office.

The Republic of Mauritius deposited its Instrument of Accession to the Harare Protocol with the ARIPO Director General, Mr. Bemanya Twebaze, on 27 May 2025. The deposit took place on the margins of the 4th edition of the Heads of Intellectual Property Offices Conference (HIPOC) in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

With Mauritius’ accession, all ARIPO Member States, except Somalia, are now parties to the Harare Protocol.