Patent Filing in OAPI countries
File your PCT national phase application in the OAPI region with the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) through AnalystIP, within 30 months from the priority date. Every requirement below is taken from the WIPO PCT Applicant's Guide and kept up to date by our team.
When is your national phase deadline in OAPI countries?
Enter the earliest priority date of your PCT application (or the international filing date if there is no priority).
Patent filing in OAPI countries: key facts
Reinstatement of rights permitted (Rule 49.6); fee: refer to the Office
None
20 years from the international filing date
Official fees for patent filing in OAPI countries
Filing in several countries? Compare fees with other countries →
Standard official fees (general)
From the WIPO PCT Applicant's Guide, updated September 25, 2026. Amounts in XAF. Your exact fees depend on your application: use the calculator above.
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Patents: Filing fee | XAF 225,000 | Amount from Annex OA.I (not stated in summary); due within the Article 22/39(1) time limit |
| Patents: Examination fee | XAF 250,000 | |
| Patents: Fee for priority claims, per priority | XAF 75,000 | |
| Patents: Publication fee | XAF 365,000 | Amount from Annex OA.I (not stated in summary) |
| Patents: Claim fee for each claim in excess of 10 | XAF 65,000 | |
| Patents: Annual fees, 2nd to 3rd year, per year | XAF 270,000 | Calculated from the international filing date |
| Utility models: Filing fee | XAF 20,000 | |
| Utility models: Examination fee | XAF 25,000 | |
| Utility models: Fee for priority claims, per priority | XAF 25,000 | |
| Utility models: Publication fee | XAF 30,000 | Amount from Annex OA.I |
| Utility models: Claim fee for each claim in excess of 10 | XAF 45,000 | |
| Utility models: Annual fees, 2nd year | XAF 20,000 | |
| Utility models: Annual fees, 3rd year | XAF 20,000 | |
| Annex OA.I: Late payment supplement for annual fees | XAF 70,000 | |
| Annex OA.I: Amendment or correction of substance (patents) | XAF 40,000 | |
| Annex OA.I: Amendment or correction of substance (utility models) | XAF 18,000 | |
| Annex OA.I: Appeal | XAF 960,000 | |
| Annex OA.I: Conversion of a patent into a utility model | XAF 50,000 |
Fee reductions: None
Regional phase entry requirements
Time limit
30 months from the priority date (Article 22(1) and Article 39(1)(a); same for Chapter I and II)
OAPI is the only route for its 17 member states, including Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal and Gabon.
Translation
Under Article 22: description, claims (only as amended, if amended, together with any Article 19 statement), text matter of drawings, abstract. Under Article 39(1): description, claims, text matter of drawings, abstract; amended parts only as amended by the annexes to the IPER. Due within the Article 22 or 39(1) time limit.
Late entry and reinstatement
Reinstatement of rights permitted (Rule 49.6); fee: refer to the Office
Agent and power of attorney
Required if the applicant does not reside in an OAPI Member State; any industrial property attorney or agent registered to practice before OAPI may act
Special requirements of the office
- Name and address of the inventor, if not in the request (may be satisfied by a Rule 4.17 declaration)
- Appointment of an agent if the applicant is not resident in an OAPI Member State
- Translation of the priority document into English or French, where the validity of the priority claim is relevant to patentability
- Instrument of assignment of the priority application where applicants are not identical (may be satisfied by a Rule 4.17 declaration)
Other information
- The list of special requirements is still subject to confirmation by the Office
- Office accepts restoration of priority by receiving Office and requests for restoration (refer to the Office)
- Copy of the international application required only if OAPI has not received it under Article 20
- Fees payable in CFA francs (XAF)
- Annual fees due on each anniversary of the international filing date; surcharge within six months grace
- OAPI does not grant both a patent and a utility model for the same invention
Source: WIPO PCT Applicant's Guide, national chapter, updated September 25, 2026.
Countries reached only through OAPI
For these countries the national route is closed: a PCT application covers them through OAPI.
Patent filing in OAPI countries: questions
What is the deadline for PCT national phase entry in the OAPI region?
30 months from the earliest priority date.
Can I enter the national phase in the OAPI region after the deadline?
Reinstatement of rights permitted (Rule 49.6); fee: refer to the Office
In which language must the application be filed in the OAPI region?
English or French. Under Article 22: description, claims (only as amended, if amended, together with any Article 19 statement), text matter of drawings, abstract. Under Article 39(1): description, claims, text matter of drawings, abstract; amended parts only as amended by the annexes to the IPER. Due within the Article 22 or 39(1) time limit.
Do I need a local patent attorney in the OAPI region?
Required if the applicant does not reside in an OAPI Member State; any industrial property attorney or agent registered to practice before OAPI may act
Are there official fee reductions in the OAPI region?
None
How much does patent filing in OAPI countries cost?
The cost is the official fees of the patent office plus professional fees. The standard official fees from WIPO are listed on this page; the calculator works out the exact official fees for your application (pages, claims, applicant type) after a quick email check, and our team sends a full quote on request.
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