On 27 May 2025, Mauritius deposited its instrument of accession to the Harare Protocol on Patents, Utility Models, and Industrial Designs with the ARIPO Director General. Mauritius is the 21st ARIPO member state to become party to the Harare Protocol.

As of 27 August 2025, Mauritius may be designated in ARIPO applications for patents, utility models, and industrial designs. For PCT applicants, this means that Mauritius can be included in a regional phase ARIPO application, provided the international filing date is on or after that date.

Following Mauritius’ 2023 accession to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), this development further strengthens IP protection across Africa while streamlining broader regional coverage for applicants.