Pursuant to the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, published in the Gazette of the United Republic of Tanzania No. 40, Vol. 107, dated 2 October 2026, trade and service marks registered by the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) are recognised as registered and protected in the United Republic of Tanzania, subject to the provisions of the applicable law and the ARIPO Protocol.
Accordingly, any trade or service mark registered by ARIPO on or after 1 September 1999, being the date on which the ARIPO Protocol entered into force in respect of the United Republic of Tanzania, and which designates Tanzania as a designated state, shall be deemed to be registered and protected in Tanzania.
This protection shall apply unless the Registrar of Trade and Service Marks has communicated to ARIPO, in respect of the relevant application, a decision made in accordance with the provisions of the ARIPO Protocol stating that, if registered, the mark shall have no effect in the United Republic of Tanzania.
The amendment therefore provides legal recognition and protection in Tanzania for qualifying ARIPO trade and service marks, subject to any applicable refusal, limitation, or communication issued by the Registrar in accordance with the law.
Members of the public, businesses, trade mark owners, applicants, and other interested parties should take note of this development and to ensure that their rights and records relating to ARIPO-registered marks are properly maintained and, where necessary, verified with the relevant authorities.
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