Overview
Senegal, as a member of the Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle (OAPI), processes trademarks, patents, and industrial designs under the unified OAPI system. Consequently, any IP right registered through OAPI is automatically extended to Senegal. Although the registration mechanism is centralized at OAPI, local enforcement recourse remains available in Senegal to tackle potential infringements.
Operating under OAPI procedures ensures a streamlined, regionally recognized route for intellectual property filings. Applicants—both domestic and foreign—can thus benefit from coverage across all member states with a single application while still pursuing enforcement actions through Senegal’s legal infrastructure.
International Conventions
Through its OAPI membership and international commitments, Senegal aligns with global treaties that influence its IP framework. Among these are:
Paris Convention
Berne Convention
TRIPS Agreement
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)