On 15 May 2025, Ethiopia deposited its instrument of accession to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, an international agreement that governs the global protection of patents, trade marks, and industrial designs.

The accession was confirmed by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) under Paris Notification No. 228, marking a major step in Ethiopia’s efforts to modernize its IP system and strengthen collaboration with global IP organizations.

The Convention will enter into force with respect to Ethiopia on 15 August 2025, marking Ethiopia’s official accession to the Paris Union, a community of nations committed to promoting fair and harmonised IP standards, founded by the Paris Convention.

This move grants Ethiopian applicants priority rights when filing IP applications abroad and guarantees equal treatment for foreign applicants within Ethiopia, while supporting the country’s broader goals around innovation, investment, and global trade integration.