Middle East & Africa

Côte d'Ivoire

Patent system, trademark registration, annuity management, and renewals in Côte d'Ivoire.

Authority

OAPI

PCT

30 mo

Madrid

Member

OAPI Search

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Before You Start

Before filing or quoting, you'll typically confirm these first

1
Whether to pursue the Paris route, PCT national phase, or start with trademark registration in Côte d'Ivoire
2
Which of patent filing, trademark registration, annuity, or renewal is the most urgent priority
3
Whether to verify the official portal, search system, and key deadlines before moving to a quote or engagement

The sections below cover each module — use the navigation to jump directly to what you need.

Patent System & Process

Patent System in Côte d'Ivoire

Côte d'Ivoire is one of West Africa's largest economies; cocoa, petroleum refining, manufacturing, and services are key. CI is an **OAPI member** — OAPI is a **unitary regional IP system**: a SINGLE OAPI application automatically covers ALL **17 OAPI member states** simultaneously (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, CAR, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Togo). No per-state designation needed — one grant = all 17 countries. 20-year patent term; PCT supported (30 months).

OAPI Patent (Covers All 17 Member States) ▾

OAPI is a unitary system (unlike ARIPO's designate-per-state model). One OAPI patent grant is automatically effective in all 17 francophone African member states simultaneously — no per-state designation required. The most efficient and cost-effective way to cover francophone West and Central Africa. Must file in French at OAPI HQ (Yaoundé, Cameroon); 20-year term.

Source: OAPI (www.oapi.int) — Agreement of Bangui

PCT Route into OAPI ▾

PCT applications can designate OAPI; 30-month national phase deadline; filing must be in French.

Source: OAPI; WIPO PCT Guide — OAPI

Trademark System & Process

Trademark System in Côte d'Ivoire

OAPI trademark is also unitary — one OAPI application covers all 17 member states simultaneously; 10-year term; renewable. CI joined Madrid in 2016 — Madrid designation of CI also possible, but OAPI application is the most efficient multi-country West African trademark route. File in French.

OAPI Trademark (All 17 Member States) ▾

One OAPI trademark application covers all 17 francophone African member states automatically; 10-year term; file in French. Most cost-effective way to establish trademark rights in francophone West and Central Africa.

Source: OAPI

Patent Annuity

Côte d'Ivoire Patent Annuities

OAPI patent annuities paid centrally to OAPI (covers all 17 member states); no per-country annuities required; grace period available.

Source: OAPI fee schedule

Annuity Reference → Managed Annuities

Trademark Renewal

Côte d'Ivoire Trademark Renewals

OAPI trademark: 10-year term; single renewal to OAPI covers all 17 member states.

Source: OAPI

Renewal Reference → Managed Renewals

FAQ

Common Questions — Côte d'Ivoire IP

What is OAPI and how does it differ from ARIPO? ▾

OAPI covers 17 francophone African countries with a unitary system — one application automatically covers all member states with no per-state designation. ARIPO covers East/Southern Africa but requires per-state designation.

Which countries does an OAPI application cover? ▾

Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, CAR, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Togo — all 17 automatically covered.

What language is required for OAPI filings? ▾

French (OAPI's official working language).

What are the OAPI patent and trademark terms? ▾

OAPI patent: 20 years; OAPI trademark: 10 years, renewable indefinitely.

Does Côte d'Ivoire accept Madrid trademark designations? ▾

Yes, since 2016. However, for multi-country West African coverage, filing through OAPI is more efficient than separate Madrid designations.

How are OAPI annuities paid? ▾

OAPI annuities are paid centrally to OAPI HQ — a single payment covers all 17 member states.

Is a local agent required? ▾

Foreign applicants must use an OAPI-accredited agent (typically practicing in Yaoundé or other OAPI member states).

Which sectors most need IP in Côte d'Ivoire? ▾

Cocoa and food/beverage branding (CI is the world's largest cocoa exporter), consumer goods, telecoms, and financial services.

Official Reference Sources

Sources for This Page

OAPI Official Website www.oapi.int WIPO — Côte d'Ivoire www.wipo.int/members/en/details.jsp?country_id=35 WIPO Madrid Members www.wipo.int/madrid/en/members/

Content based on official sources above, last reviewed: 2026-04. In case of discrepancy with the latest official publications, official sources prevail.

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