PCT NATIONAL PHASE ENTRY
Gambia

Gambia has been a member of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property since January 21, 1992, and a signatory to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) since December 09, 1997. Additionally, the country is a party to the Patent Law Treaty (PLT) and a member of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO).

The intellectual property system (IPS) is employed to tap into the creative and innovative potential of Gambians, fostering sustainable, inclusive, and rapid national social, economic, and cultural growth. It also supports the transformation of the Gambian economy and the achievement of the country’s national development goals.

In The Gambia, a national phase application must be filed within 30 or 31 months from the priority date of the international application. The filing should be made with the Intellectual Property Office of The Gambia.

The official language for filing the patent applications in The Gambia is English.

In The Gambia, no extensions are granted for the late filing of patent applications once the deadline has passed.

• Power of Attorney: A document granting an agent or attorney the authority to act on behalf of the applicant can be submitted as a signed power of attorney within two months of the filing date.
• Deed of assignment: A deed of assignment showing the transfer of rights is required when the applicant is not the inventor.
• Certified copy of the priority document: A certified copy of the earlier application is required when claiming priority based on it.

There is no cost exemption available for filing patent application in Gambia.

The Gambia national IP office conducts formal examination of applications only. ARIPO (African Regional Intellectual Property Organization) conducts the substantive examination as part of its technical assistance to ARIPO member states under the terms of the Lusaka Agreement (an intergovernmental organization focused on intellectual property (IP) matters among its member states in Africa).

Renewal fees are paid from the second anniversary of the filing date up to the 20th year. Late payment is possible, with a corresponding surcharge, within a grace period of 6 months after the due date.

A patent provides the owner with exclusive rights to use and commercialize an invention for a set period, usually 20 years from the filing date of the patent application.

The Global Innovation Index (GII) data for The Gambia shows a fluctuating trend in its innovation capabilities. In 2015, The Gambia ranked 112th with an index score of 27.49. The GII score is a measure of a country's innovation performance, considering both input and output factors, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

The Gambia is experiencing promising economic growth, with a projected 5.6% increase in 2024, driven by agriculture, services, and tourism. The country is known for its narrow geography along the Gambia River, and political stability since its democratic transition in 2017.