Interview – ARIPO Director General Fernando dos Santos

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Gardens, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2025

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Interview – ARIPO Director General Fernando dos Santos

“During my mandate, I want ARIPO to be more and more feasible for member states, customers and rights owners. I want more ownership in the secretariat as the organization grows and I want to develop our relationships with international organizations.” That was how new ARIPO Director General Fernando dos Santos described his vision for the association to the INTA Daily News yesterday.

“During my mandate, I want ARIPO to be more and more feasible for member states, customers and rights owners. I want more ownership in the secretariat as the organization grows and I want to develop our relationships with international organizations.” That was how new ARIPO Director General Fernando dos Santos described his vision for the association to the INTA Daily News yesterday.

Dos Santos was appointed to the position in November last year, having previously founded and headed the IP office in Mozambique. He leads a team of 50 people and is visiting the INTA Annual Meeting this week to talk to international trademark owners. He says his message to them is clear: “If you are thinking of investing in Africa, consider ARIPO.”

He explained that nine of the 18 member states are members of the “Madrid Protocol-like” Banjul Protocol. This enables one central filing to be extended to all participating member states, with some procedures (including appeals) conducted centrally.

About 1,000 applications have been made through Banjul since it came into force in 1997, and dos Santos says it needs to be made “simpler and more attractive.” A study on improving efficiency has been carried out with the help of INTA, and this should lead to improvements being approved by the end of this year. He added that he hopes this will lead to more states joining the Protocol, and ultimately to a link with the Madrid System that would enable international trademark applicants to designate ARIPO.

Dos Santos described the territory covered by ARIPO, which spans some 300 million people, as “an interesting market.” He added: “We know there are many problems in terms of enforcement, but everything starts with registration.” At present the Banjul Protocol is used mostly in traditional industries such as pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs and education/stationery.

The new ARIPO head is embarking on a four-year term (which can be extended once) at a time of growing investment in the region, particularly from Asia, and said he welcomes the support of INTA and other organizations as it faces new challenges.

“The cooperation of INTA has been instrumental in revising the Banjul Protocol and we have also had some very interesting discussions with WIPO.”

more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

Working with Harvey and Microsoft, the firm has been at the forefront of developing AI tools for its lawyers, and is now exploring new projects and business models
The Emotional Perception AI case, which centres on the patentability of an artificial neural network, will be heard next week
Developments included a court order related to InterDigital’s anti-anti-suit injunction against Disney, and clarification on recoverable costs
Partners at Foley Hoag examine how recent CJEU jurisprudence may serve as a catalyst for recalibrating US judicial reluctance to entertain foreign patent claims
International law firms have high hopes for their IP practices in Saudi Arabia, with many opening offices, but recruiting and retaining talent in the Kingdom presents unique challenges
Patrick Ogola joins us for our ‘Five minutes with’ series to discuss helping African entrepreneurs on the global stage, and explains why young lawyers should speak up
Heli Pihlajamaa, the EPO’s principal director for patent law and procedures, joins us to take stock of the unitary patent following its second anniversary
Kelly Thompson, chair of South African firm Adams & Adams, discusses self-belief, self-doubt, and the importance of saying yes
The renowned food brands were represented by a host of lawyers, including members of the firms’ IP teams
Partners at Bird & Bird and Taylor Wessing discuss how Saudi Arabia offers unique opportunities for firms dealing in IP and tech
Gift this article