PCT NATIONAL PHASE ENTRY
Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone has been a Contracting Party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property and the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) since June 17, 1997. Additionally, Sierra Leone is a member of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO). 

The deadline to enter the national phase in Sierra Leone is 31 months from the priority date. 

In Sierra Leone, all application documents including the description, claims, and abstract must be submitted in English.  

In Sierra Leone, extensions for late entry into the national phase or late submission of the application are not permitted. 

• Power of Attorney: A Power of Attorney, simply signed, must be submitted either at the time of filing or within two months from the filing date. 

• Deed of Assignment: If the applicant is not the inventor, a deed of assignment must be submitted to confirm the right to file the patent application. 

No cost exemptions are available for patent application in Sierra Leone. 

The substantive examination begins automatically after filing. No separate request or fee is needed to file the same in Sierra Leone.  

Renewal of a patent application in Sierra Leone requires the payment of annual renewal fees, which are due on the anniversary of the filing date. A six-month grace period is allowed for late payments, subject to a surcharge.

In Sierra Leone, a patent is valid for 20 years from the filing date. 

In the 2023 Global Innovation Index, Sierra Leone ranked 114th out of 132 economies, showing notable improvement from previous years. However, it remains among the lower-ranking economies globally in terms of innovation. Within Sub-Saharan Africa, Sierra Leone was ranked 17th. The top three economies in the region (excluding island nations) were Mauritius (1st), South Africa (2nd), and Botswana (3rd). 

As Sierra Leone, strengthening its intellectual property rights (IPR) system will be key to fostering innovation and attracting investment. With a focus on improving governance and infrastructure, the country can leverage its natural resources and growing sectors like mining and agriculture, where IP protection can help drive economic development and safeguard local industries.