Ethiopia’s Intellectual Property Authority (EIPA) is moving forward with revisions to the country’s trademark registration and protection proclamation, according to an update published by Adams & Adams on 16 July 2026. Addis Ababa University prepared the draft amendments, which were discussed with stakeholders in June 2026. Adams & Adams submitted general comments addressing, among other issues, the alignment between implementing regulations and the primary legislation, application formalities and the clarity of procedural requirements.
The reform remains under consultation, but the practical details will determine whether the revised framework improves predictability for applicants. Inconsistent requirements across the main law, implementing rules and filing practice could lead to additional formalities, uneven examination timelines or uncertainty over supporting documents. Businesses planning trademark filings in Ethiopia should therefore monitor the final text closely and preserve flexibility in filing documents, budgets and local procedural arrangements.
