Middle East & Africa

Senegal

Patent system, trademark registration, annuity management, and renewals in Senegal.

Authority

OAPI

PCT

30 mo

Madrid

Non-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 Senegal
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 Senegal

Senegal is an important economic and diplomatic hub in West Africa; Dakar is a key port city. Key sectors: fishing, phosphates, tourism, agriculture, and services. Senegal is an **OAPI member** — OAPI's **unitary system** means a SINGLE OAPI application automatically covers **all 17 OAPI member states** simultaneously, with no per-state designation. 20-year patent term; PCT supported (30 months); filing in French.

OAPI Patent (Covers All 17 Member States) ▾

One OAPI patent grant automatically covers all 17 francophone African member states (including Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Mali, etc.). 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 deadline; file in French.

Source: OAPI; WIPO PCT Guide — OAPI

Trademark System & Process

Trademark System in Senegal

OAPI trademark is also unitary — one application covers all 17 member states simultaneously; 10-year term; renewable. Senegal has **not individually joined Madrid** — OAPI is the recommended route for francophone West African trademark coverage. 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.

Source: OAPI

Patent Annuity

Senegal Patent Annuities

OAPI patent annuities paid centrally to OAPI (covers all 17 member states); grace period available.

Source: OAPI fee schedule

Annuity Reference → Managed Annuities

Trademark Renewal

Senegal 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 — Senegal IP

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, no per-state designation needed.

What language is required for OAPI filings? ▾

French (OAPI's official working language).

Does Senegal separately accept Madrid designations? ▾

Senegal has not individually joined the Madrid Protocol; OAPI filing is the standard route for trademark protection.

What is the difference between OAPI and ARIPO? ▾

OAPI is unitary (one application = all 17 members automatically, no designation needed), mainly covering francophone Africa. ARIPO requires per-state designation; mainly covers Anglophone East/Southern Africa.

PCT deadline for OAPI designation? ▾

30 months.

Is Senegal a WTO member? ▾

Yes, Senegal joined WTO in 1995.

Which sectors most need IP in Senegal? ▾

Fishery branding, food/beverage, tourism (hospitality and service brands), textiles, and consumer goods.

Is a local agent required? ▾

Foreign applicants must use an OAPI-accredited agent.

Official Reference Sources

Sources for This Page

OAPI Official Website www.oapi.int WIPO — Senegal www.wipo.int/members/en/details.jsp?country_id=140

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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