PCT NATIONAL PHASE ENTRY
Madagascar

Madagascar has been a member of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property since December 21, 1963, and a Contracting Party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) since January 24, 1978. It is also a signatory to the Patent Law Treaty (PLT).

A national phase application in Madagascar for a PCT application must be filed within 30 months from the priority at the Malagasy Office of Industrial Property (OMAPI).

In Madagascar, patent applications must be submitted in French, the official language for such filings.

Madagascar does not permit any extensions for late entry into the national phase.

• Power of Attorney: A notarized power of attorney must be submitted, and although it can be filed after the initial submission, it should be provided within two months from the filing date.

Currently, Madagascar does not offer specific exemptions or reductions in patent application.

In Madagascar, patent applications are subject to automatic substantive examination, and no formal Request for Examination (RFE) is required.

Renewal fees are paid in advance for each year, the first and second being paid on the filing date of the application. A grace period of 6 months is granted for late payment of renewal fees in return for payment of the prescribed surcharge.

The protection lasts 15 years from the filing date, but can be extended up to 5 years by providing proof of use in Madagascar.

In the GII 2024, Madagascar is ranked 110th out of 133 economies. It holds the 2nd position among the 10 low-income economies and is ranked 10th among the 27 economies in Sub-Saharan Africa. Madagascar ranks 81st in innovation outputs, showing an improvement compared to last year. The country’s key innovation strengths include industrial designs by origin per billion PPP$ GDP (ranked 14th), trademarks by origin per billion PPP$ GDP (ranked 21st), and ICT services exports as a percentage of total trade (ranked 29th).

Madagascar is a large island nation located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa. It is the fourth largest island in the world and is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity, with over 90% of its wildlife—including lemurs, baobab trees, and chameleons—found nowhere else on Earth. Madagascar’s economy relies heavily on agriculture, particularly the export of vanilla, as well as mining and fishing. The nation has a rich cultural heritage shaped by traditional beliefs, music, and a strong oral storytelling tradition.