Trademark Registration in Burkina Faso: Protect Your Brand Nationwide
Burkina Faso, a landlocked country located in the heart of West Africa, is a nation with a growing economy and a population of approximately 23 million. Bordering Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso sits at a strategic crossroads for trade within the West African region, making it an increasingly important jurisdiction for brand owners seeking to protect their intellectual property.
On this page
Burkina Faso trademark registration at a glance
- System
- First-to-file (via OAPI)
- Classification
- Nice Classification, 45 classes
- Madrid Protocol
- Yes, via OAPI (since 2015)
- Language
- French
- Opposition period
- 3 months from publication (OAPI)
- Typical timeline
- 6 to 12 months without objections
- Validity
- 10 years, renewable
* Timelines assume no objections or oppositions. Laws change, so contact us to confirm current requirements.
Introduction
Burkina Faso's legal system is rooted in civil law, reflecting its French colonial heritage. French is the official language of government, commerce, and the judiciary, and all trademark proceedings are conducted in French.
Critically, Burkina Faso does not operate its own national trademark registration system. As a founding member of the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), Burkina Faso has fully delegated its industrial property powers to the OAPI. This means that no national trademark office exists in Burkina Faso; all filings must go through OAPI headquarters in Yaoundé, Cameroon. A single OAPI trademark registration automatically covers all 17 member states, including Burkina Faso, providing a "one-stop" registration solution for brand owners seeking protection across Francophone Africa
Why register your trademark in Burkina Faso
Exclusive Rights
Grants you exclusive legal ownership and control over your trademark for the registered goods/services throughout Burkina Faso.
Legal Enforcement
Enables you to take action against infringement, counterfeiting, and unauthorized use through the OAPI system and relevant courts.
Nationwide Protection
Secures trademark protection across the entire territory of Burkina Faso.
Regional Protection Advantage
Through OAPI membership, a single trademark registration provides protection across multiple member countries in Africa.
Our trademark services in Burkina Faso
End-to-end support from our licensed in-country attorneys, from the first search to lifelong protection.
Attorney-Assisted Search
In-depth legal search for potential conflicts in Burkina Faso.
Trademark Registration Services
Complete filing and application management for Burkina Faso trademarks.
Trademark Renewal Services
Hassle-free renewals to maintain your Burkina Faso trademark protection.
Watch & Monitoring Services
Continuous monitoring of Burkina Faso trademarks to identify potential conflicts.
Ownership Transfer / Assignment
Efficient handling of trademark ownership transfers in Burkina Faso.
Licensing & Franchising Support
Expert guidance to license or expand your Burkina Faso brand.
Trademark registration process in Burkina Faso
Here is how to register a trademark in Burkina Faso, step by step.
Here is the step-by-step process followed for trademark registration in Burkina Faso
Search
While not mandatory, conducting a prior art search through the OAPI database is strongly recommended before filing. OAPI offers a prior art search service that helps identify potential conflicts with existing trademarks. A comprehensive trademark search can be completed within approximately 18 days and is a critical pre-filing analysis to assess registrability and avoid wasted fees.
Filing
The application is submitted to OAPI headquarters in Yaoundé, Cameroon, or through the National Liaison Structure in Burkina Faso. Applications may also be submitted electronically through the OAPI online filing portal. Upon filing, the applicant receives a filing receipt with an application number and filing date. Multi-class applications are permitted.
Examination
Applications undergo formal examination and limited substantive examination (primarily on absolute grounds), while conflicts with prior rights are generally addressed through opposition.
Publication and Opposition
If the application meets all formal and substantive requirements, the trademark is published in the OAPI Official Bulletin for opposition purposes. For trademark applications filed from 1 January 2022, the opposition period is three months from the publication date, and this deadline is not extendable. For trademarks with filing dates prior to 1 January 2022, the opposition period remains six months from the date of publication
Registration Certificate
Following the opposition period, if no opposition is filed or any opposition is resolved in the applicant's favor, the trademark proceeds to registration, and a registration certificate is issued. The grant of registration is also published in the OAPI Official Gazette to notify third parties of the registration and the statutory rights secured by the trademark owner
Validity & Renewal
Renewal: Indefinitely renewable for successive 10-year periods. A renewal application may be filed within 12 months before the expiry date. A grace period of 6 months after expiry is available for late renewal, subject to payment of a late fee.
Restoration is not possible if the grace period is missed. A trademark registration takes effect from the filing date.
Start your application in a few minutes. Nothing is filed until you approve the written quote.
Documents required for trademark registration in Burkina Faso
Power of Attorney
Simply signed (no notarisation or legalisation required). A private Power of Attorney is sufficient if the applicant is represented by an attorney. If a Power of Attorney is needed, it must be filed within 3 months of the filing date
Applicant's Details
Full name and address of the applicant (individual or entity).
Specimen of the Mark
A clear representation of the mark. Not required for word-only marks.
List of Goods/Services
A detailed description of the specific goods or services in accordance with the Nice Classification, in French.
Timeline, validity and renewal
How long registration takes
Total filing to registration (with opposition) is approximately 12 to 24 months and timelines can vary depending on the complexity of the application, any oppositions filed, and administrative delays at OAPI.
Validity and renewal
Renewal: Indefinitely renewable for successive 10-year periods. A renewal application may be filed within 12 months before the expiry date. A grace period of 6 months after expiry is available for late renewal, subject to payment of a late fee.
Restoration is not possible if the grace period is missed.
Governing Law
Legal Framework
Trademark protection in Burkina Faso is governed by the legal framework of OAPI, a regional intellectual property organization serving 17 member states:
• The Bangui Agreement — the foundational treaty establishing OAPI, which was originally signed on 2 March 1977 and revised most significantly by the
Bangui Agreement of 24 February 1999 (entered into force on 28 February 2002).
• Annex III of the Bangui Agreement — the specific annex governing trademarks, service marks, and related rights within the OAPI system.
• Regulations implementing the Bangui Agreement — detailed procedural regulations adopted by the OAPI Administrative Council.
The Bangui Agreement is a supranational legal instrument that applies uniformly across all OAPI member states. Member states, including Burkina Faso, have ceded their sovereignty in industrial property matters to OAPI and may not enact national legislation inconsistent with the Agreement. The legal framework is TRIPS-compliant and aligns with the Paris Convention and other international IP treaties.
Competent Authority
Trademark applications for protection in Burkina Faso are filed with the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) headquarters in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Applications may also be filed through the National Liaison Structure (Structure Nationale de Liaison — SNL) in Burkina Faso, which is the intellectual property department within the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Handicrafts.
OAPI handles all aspects of trademark examination, registration, opposition, and record maintenance for its 17 member states. Applications may be submitted in person, by mail, or electronically through the OAPI online filing portal
Client stories
Businesses that trust us with their brands across borders.
We had an excellent experience working with Legacy Partners for trademark registration and brand protection services in India. Their expert team guided us throughout the filing process, ensuring accurate documentation, timely updates, and seamless support. Their professionalism and intellectual property expertise gave us confidence in protecting our brand identity while supporting our expansion into new markets.
We had a seamless experience working with Legacy Partners for trademark registration services in Bahrain. Their professional team provided excellent support throughout the trademark filing process, ensuring timely updates, accurate documentation, and smooth coordination. Their expertise in intellectual property and brand protection services helped us secure our brand identity with confidence.
* Client stories are shared with permission.
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Register your trademark in Burkina Faso today
Speak to our trademark consultants in Burkina Faso. Send your mark and we will reply with a free search and a fixed written quote within one working day.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Official requirements and fees can change; we confirm the current position for your matter before filing.
