Tanzania Strengthens IP Protection Through Legislative Reforms

Tanzania has introduced significant reforms to its IP regime through the enactment of the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2026 (the “2026 Amendments”), which received Presidential assent on 19 September 2026 and was published in the Government Gazette on 2 October 2026. The amendments represent one of the most significant developments in Tanzania’s intellectual property framework in recent years and substantially enhance the protection available to trade mark, patent- and design proprietors.

The reforms follow the Court of Appeal’s decision in Lakairo Industries Group Co. Ltd v Kenafrica Industries Ltd (26 September 2025), in which the Court held that the Banjul Protocol had not been domesticated into Tanzanian law and that ARIPO trade mark registrations designating Tanzania therefore did not confer enforceable rights within the country. The decision created considerable uncertainty for rights holders that had relied on the ARIPO system, as protection and enforcement