OAPI (African Intellectual Property Organization) = single office 17 French-speaking Africa countries. 1 filing = 17 country protection. Critical for brands. Here's the 2026 procedure.
TL;DR
- OAPI: 17 French-speaking African countries.
- 1 filing = full zone protection.
- Cost: 250-500K XOF + Nice classes.
- Protection duration: 10 years renewable.
17 OAPI countries
- Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic,
- Comoros, Congo, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau,
- Equatorial Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Chad, Togo
Advantages :
- 1 filing = 17 countries
- Savings vs country-by-country filings
- Harmonized standards
OAPI filing procedure
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- Anteriority search:
- Verify if trademark free
- OAPI + national bases
- Cost: 50-150K XOF
- File preparation:
- Logo (required formats)
- Product / service list (Nice classes)
- Agent power of attorney (often mandatory)
- Tax payment proof
- Filing:
- Via approved OAPI agent
- Yaoundé (HQ) or local offices
- Form + documents
- Formal examination: 1-3 months
- BOPI publication: 6-12 months
- Opposition: 6 months
- Registration: 12-24 months total
- Certificate
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Nice classes (classification system)
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45 classes:
1-34: products (clothing, cosmetics, electronics...)
35-45: services (advertising, transport, catering...)
Cost per class:
- 1 class: 250K XOF (~380€)
- Additional classes: 100K XOF each
- 3 classes: ~450K XOF total
Tip: 1-3 minimum classes for solid coverage.
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Complete filing costs
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1 mark, 1 class:
- Anteriority search: 50-150K
- Official taxes: 250K
- Agent fees: 300-500K
- Total: 600K-900K XOF (~900-1400€)
1 mark, 3 classes:
- Search: 100-200K
- Taxes: 450K
- Fees: 400-700K
- Total: 950K-1.35M XOF (~1.4-2K€)
Renewal (every 10 years):
- 200-400K XOF + fees
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Senegal OAPI agents
Top Senegal agents :
- DKMA & Co
- Cabinet Saerens
- Cabinet Marchais Group
- Cabinet Sory Dia
Choice criteria :
- Confirmed OAPI approval
- Sector experience (fashion, tech, etc.)
- Transparent rates
- Multi-language availability
FAQ
Q: Without agent possible?
A: Theoretically yes, but 99% filings via agent (complex procedure).
Q: International trademark (Madrid System)?
A: Also possible via WIPO Geneva (Madrid system). Similar cost but 130+ countries. Choose per needs.
Conclusion
2026 OAPI Africa trademark: 17 countries via 1 filing. 600K-1.35M XOF cost per classes. 12-24 month duration. Critical brand protection. Approved agent essential.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
