Explore IP Landscape:
Rwanda
Rwanda has been a member of WIPO since 1984 and is a signatory to over 8 WIPO treaties.
The national IP office of Rwanda is the Office of the Registrar General, Rwanda Development Board (RDB). The office is located in Kigali.
Contact information
Intellectual property landscape: Rwanda
WIPO memberships
- Membership of WIPO treaties and WIPO bodies
- Treaty notifications
- National statements at WIPO assemblies
IP legal information
- WIPO lex database for IP laws, regulations, judgements and treaties
- IP policies, manuals and model agreements from universities and research institutions
IP statistics
- Statistical IP profile including data on patent, utility models, trademark and industrial design applications
Global Innovation Index ranking
Rwanda ranks 104th among the 136 economies featured in the GII 2024.
The Global Innovation Index (GII) ranks world economies according to their innovation capabilities. Consisting of roughly 80 indicators, grouped into innovation inputs and outputs, the GII aims to capture the multi-dimensional facets of innovation.
Learn moreUse of WIPO global IP services & products: Rwanda
Patents
PATENTSCOPE
- The PATENTSCOPE database provides access to published international PCT applications in full-text on the day of publication, patent documents from participating national and regional offices, and non-patent literature.
- Office of origin - Search patent applications filed through the PCT System in: Rwanda
- Designated office - Search patent applications filed through the PCT System seeking protection in: Rwanda
PCT System – the international patent system
- The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) allows inventors to apply for patent protection in over 150 countries through a single procedure.
- PCT eGuide: Detailed information on requirements relating to PCT applications
- ePCT office profile: Details on IP office procedures in the context of the PCT electronic filings system (ePCT)
Trademarks
Global Brand Database
- The Global Brand Database provides access to international trademarks under the Madrid System, appellations of origin and geographical indications under the Lisbon System, emblems under 6ter, and trademarks from participating national and regional offices.
- Office of origin - Search trademark applications filed through the Madrid System in: Rwanda
- Designated office - Search trademark applications filed through the Madrid System seeking protection in: Rwanda
- National trademarks - Search the national trademark collection for: Rwanda
- Search appellations of origin applications filed through the Lisbon System in: Rwanda
- Search emblems applications filed through Article 6ter in: Rwanda
- Search domain name disputes related to complainants and respondents in: Rwanda
Madrid System – the international trademark system
- The Madrid System allows to apply for and manage trademark protection in over 130 countries through one system and a single set of fees.
- Madrid System Member Profile: Detailed information on Madrid system-related operations and procedures of the IP Office
Designs
Global Design Database
- The Global Design Database provides access to international designs under the Hague System and designs from participating national and regional offices.
- Office of origin - Search design applications filed through the Hague System in: Rwanda
- Designated office - Search design applications filed through the Hague System seeking protection in: Rwanda
- National designs - Search the national design collection for: Rwanda
Hague System – the international design system
- The Hague System for the International Registration of Industrial Designs allows to apply for and manage design protection in around 100 countries through one system and a single set of fees.
- Hague System Member Profile: Detailed information on Hague System-related operations and procedures of the IP Office
WIPO news and events: Rwanda
News
-
Empowering African Women in STEM: Pitch & Protect
April 14, 2026 -
Women Innovators Take the Lead: Pitch & Protect STEM Conference Empowers the Next Generation
March 26, 2026 -
Launch Event: New Study on MedTech Innovation Addressing NCDs in LDCs by WIPO, UNTB and Medtronic
November 13, 2025 -
IP and Tech Transfer Capacity for African Medical Manufacturing Stakeholders
November 10, 2025 -
Empowering Women in Agribusiness through IP Mentoring in Africa
August 5, 2025
