Tanzania Bill Aims to Restore ARIPO Trademark Designations

Tanzania is advancing legislation to reinstate legal certainty for trademarks registered through the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) under the Banjul Protocol. The Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act No. 1 of 2026 would amend the Trade and Service Marks Act to explicitly recognize ARIPO designations in domestic law.

The measure responds to a Court of Appeal of Tanzania decision holding that ARIPO marks designating Tanzania lacked enforceability because the protocol had not been fully domesticated. That ruling created uncertainty for international brand owners relying on the regional system. A Tanzanian practitioner described the bill as an elegant fix that could reopen the ARIPO route for filings.

If enacted, the amendments would allow ARIPO registrations to confer enforceable rights in Tanzania, aligning the country with other ARIPO member states. The proposal is under consideration as of early July 2026 and aims to provide clarity for foreign applicants while maintaining compliance with national requirements.