The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) remains a vital hub for intellectual property (IP) protection in Africa. In 2024, the Organization recorded a diverse range of sector engagement, international participation, and regional entrepreneurial activity in IP filings.
This article analyses the top applicants who used the ARIPO IP system across four key categories: patents, trademarks, industrial designs, and utility models. It also examines the top innovation areas, the top countries globally, and the top ARIPO Member States.
PATENTS
Global Pharmaceutical Giants and Tech Innovators Lead the Way
Dominance of Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
Pharmaceutical companies were the most active patent filers, with Eli Lilly and Company (USA) leading, primarily in pharmaceuticals, organic fine chemistry, and biotechnology. This suggests ongoing efforts to protect drug innovations in the African market, likely driven by public
health initiatives and the emergence of new markets in the region. Other major pharmaceutical players included:
1. Gilead Sciences, Inc.
2. Amgen Inc.
3. AstraZeneca AB
The increase in biotech and health-related filings underscores Africa’s growing importance as both a market and a source of clinical research opportunities.
Technology and Engineering Contributions
Nokia Technologies OY (Finland) applications focused on digital communication and telecommunications, which highlights the increasing development of digital infrastructure across Africa. Casale SA (Switzerland) and Rosenergoatom (Russia) also stood out with their filings in
chemical engineering, metallurgy, and environmental technology, suggesting a cross-border interest in industrial and energy sectors.
Top Filing Countries: The U.S. Dominates
The United States led the charge in patent applications, a clear indication of its sustained interest in protecting technological innovations across African markets. The top 10 countries in patent filings were:
These figures represent a diverse range of global players, with emerging economies such as India and China continuing to expand their presence in Africa’s innovation ecosystem.
Filing from ARIPO Member States: Mauritius Leads in Innovation
Among ARIPO’s 22 Member States, Mauritius emerged as the top filer of patent applications in 2024. Zimbabwe followed closely, while Namibia took the third spot. Uganda and Mozambique each contributed, demonstrating early but promising engagement in patent-based
innovation.
TRADEMARKS
Regional Brands Thrive Amid Global Competition
In 2024, multinational and regional firms continued leveraging ARIPO’s centralised trademark filing system to secure protection across multiple jurisdictions. This has resulted in strong engagement from African companies, particularly in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and digital sectors.
Zambian Firms Showing Strong Momentum
Bigtree Beverages Limited (Zambia) led all trademark applicants, primarily in Class 32, which covers non-alcoholic beverages and beer. This underscores the region’s growing investment in brand development and market presence.
Other notable Zambian companies included:
· Nyama Soya Limited – filings related to food products
· Yoyo Foods Limited – filings in processed foods
These filings demonstrate a rising trend of regional players actively protecting their brands within ARIPO Member States.
Global Participation Across Diverse Sectors
International firms also maintained a strong presence:
· Roche Diagnostics GMBH (Germany) filed applications across Classes 5, 9, and 10, covering pharmaceuticals, scientific instruments, and medical devices.
· MTN Group (South Africa) filed applications in Classes 9, 38, 41, and 42, reflecting its focus on technology, broadcasting, education, and software services.
The wide range of Nice Classes among applicants illustrates the increasing diversity of brand protection needs, particularly in healthcare, telecommunications, logistics, and hospitality.
Strong Regional Representation
Regional economies were well represented in 2024’s trademark filings, with Zimbabwe leading, followed by South Africa and China. This strong performance by African states underscores the growing local awareness of intellectual property rights as a crucial foundation for business
growth and economic development.
Trademark Filings from ARIPO Member States
Among ARIPO Member States, Zimbabwe continued to lead in trademark filings, far surpassing those of other countries. Zambia and Mauritius ranked second and third, respectively.
Other active contributors included Tanzania, Namibia, Kenya, Botswana, Uganda, Mozambique, and Liberia, each playing a significant role in advancing brand protection and fostering innovation-driven economies.
INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
A China–South Africa Tie
The design category saw a three-way regional and international balance, with China and South Africa tied for the lead.
The balanced distribution in design filings reflects a blend of international investment and regional creative output in fashion, manufacturing, and product design sectors.
Bottles, Interfaces, and Automobiles Stand Out
There has been significant interest in design protection, particularly in the areas of consumer products, automotive innovation, and user interface design.
Beiersdorf AG from Germany was the top design filer, submitting applications related to packaging (specifically cosmetic bottles) and graphic design. This highlights the increasing importance of product appearance and user experience in consumer goods.
Key filings included:
· Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. (China) for automotive designs
· Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Netherlands) for graphical user interface (GUI) animations in medical technology
· Acacia Food and Beverages (Zambia) for packaging bottles
The design category has showcased both local and international companies that prioritize visual identity, product functionality, and brand distinction in competitive markets. This trend emphasises both aesthetic and functional design as key assets for product differentiation and
market success.
Grassroots Innovation with a Focus on Local Needs
While utility model filings were fewer, they provide insight into grassroots innovation, especially in public health, mechanical engineering, and computing.
Key highlights include:
· John Hemming Trading Ltd (UK) applications for pharmaceutical solutions.
· Great Zimbabwe University and its collaborators – Development of mechanical engineering machines tailored to local contexts.
· Brian Turyabagye and colleagues (Uganda) – Creation of medical instruments that align with frugal innovation and rural healthcare delivery.
Innovators from Kenya and Zimbabwe were particularly active, indicating a rich environment for practical, needs-based solutions among ARIPO Member States. This category emphasizes ARIPO’s role in promoting accessible innovation pathways for individuals, research institutions,
and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
UTILITY MODELS
Zimbabwe Leads the Way
Utility models, often regarded as "petty patents", are crucial for incremental innovation. Here, Zimbabwe (ZW) topped the list, followed by Kenya (KE).
Although the numbers remain modest, this area represents considerable growth potential, especially among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and grassroots inventors.
Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Tanzania shared the top spot in 2024. Designs are increasingly being recognised as valuable IP assets for product aesthetics and user appeal. Kenya and Mauritius also performed well, followed by Mozambique and Uganda, indicating the growing interest in
creative industries across the continent.
An Expanding IP Ecosystem Rooted in Diversity
The 2024 IP filings at ARIPO indicate a maturing ecosystem that connects global innovation with regional entrepreneurship. Here are the key takeaways:
· Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology remain the leading sectors for patent filings, while telecommunications and engineering are emerging as significant growth areas.
· Trademark activity shows strong regional development of brands alongside continued foreign investment.
· Industrial design filings highlight the importance of product appeal and user experience.
· Utility models emphasize the significance of context-specific innovation, often originating from universities and individuals.
As ARIPO continues to evolve its service delivery and support systems, the 2024 data highlight its central role in promoting inclusive, cross-border IP protection and innovation across Africa.
Furthermore, ARIPO remains committed to assisting creators and innovators in Africa and globally in securing their rights and unlocking value through the power of IP.