Rwanda recorded a sharp increase in intellectual property (IP) filings in 2025, with new data from Rwanda Development Board (RDB) showing rising innovation activity and growing awareness of intellectual property protection among local businesses and innovators.
According to the RDB Annual Report 2025, local intellectual property applications increased by 21.2 per cent compared to 2024.
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The growth was driven by significant increases in patents, utility models, industrial designs and trademarks.
Patent filings rose by 218 percent, from 11 applications in 2024 to 35 in 2025.
Utility model applications doubled from 15 to 30, representing a 100 per cent increase, while industrial design filings increased by 300 per cent, rising from three to 12 applications.
Trademark filings also rose by 23.5 per cent, increasing from 1,099 to 1,357.
The figures suggest stronger uptake of intellectual property registration as businesses and creators increasingly seek to protect inventions, product designs and brand identity.
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Despite the gains in patents and industrial innovation-related filings, trademarks remained the dominant category, highlighting continued emphasis on brand protection.
International IP activity rises
RDB also reported growth in international intellectual property activity.
Madrid trademark filings increased by 3.3 per cent in 2025, which the report says reflects sustained recognition of Rwanda as an attractive market for international brands and growing confidence in the country’s business environment.
The increase comes as Rwanda continues to position intellectual property as a key driver of its transition to a knowledge-based economy.
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Speaking during the 36th session of the World Intellectual Property Organization Committee on Development and Intellectual Property, on May 4, Rwanda's Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva, Urujeni Bakuramutsa said intellectual property is increasingly being used as a strategic tool to support economic resilience, value addition and competitiveness.
She said initiatives such as IP in a Box and the WIPO-ARIPO IP Club project are helping strengthen the country’s innovation capacity, particularly among young people.
"Rwanda is already seeing tangible results in strengthening national capacity to design and implement intellectual property projects,” she said.
Bakuramutsa said Rwanda is scaling intellectual property efforts across priority sectors including creative industries, digital innovation, agri-processing and health technologies.
Local innovators say intellectual property protection is becoming increasingly important as Rwanda’s startup ecosystem expands.
"As a developer and entrepreneur, I see IP as essential once you start building something original,” said Pacifique Rubayiza, a digital consultant. "For example, with Garura, a startup focused on lost and found services, it became clear that protecting the brand and the platform matters.”
For him, IP helps secure ownership, prevent misuse, and builds credibility with users and partners. He indicated that his understanding of IP grew through hands-on experience.
"I became aware of IP through working on real projects and understanding that innovation isn’t just about creating but also protecting what you create,” he said.
Yet, he argues that there is need for more awareness in Rwanda so that innovators think about IP early on.
Chris Manzi, founder of local streetwear brand WearFragile, echoed similar views, saying he registered his shoe design, Inkotanyi, through Rwanda’s copyright system.
"The process is quite accessible. It is a crucial step for protecting creative work,” he said.
He said stronger awareness of intellectual property rights is essential for helping local creatives secure ownership of their work and build value around their products.