The Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA), Zambia’s government agency responsible for the registration and administration of intellectual property rights, has announced an important change to the issuance of Intellectual Property registration certificates.

With effect from 19^th August 2026, PACRA will no longer issue or print physical certificates for registered trade marks, patents, industrial designs and copyright. All Intellectual Property registration certificates will instead be issued electronically and sent to the email address provided by the applicant during the application process.

What this means for IP owners and practitioners

1. Registration certificates will now be issued digitally – Applicants will no longer receive physical registration certificates from PACRA. Once issued, the certificate will be transmitted electronically to the email address provided during the application process.

Where an application has been filed through a local agent or representative, this will generally be the agent or representative’s email address on record.

• Agents and representatives should ensure that their email details are up to date – PACRA has specifically advised applicants and their representatives to ensure that the email addresses provided during the application process are accurate, active and accessible.

For IP practitioners managing portfolios on behalf of clients, it will therefore be important to ensure that the email addresses held on PACRA’s records remain current and are regularly monitored.

• Digital record-keeping will become increasingly important – Once received, electronically issued certificates should be promptly downloaded, securely stored and incorporated into the relevant IP portfolio records.

This will help ensure that certificates remain readily accessible when required for enforcement, licensing, assignments, renewals, due diligence or other commercial and regulatory purposes.

PACRA’s transition to digital Intellectual Property registration certificates reflects the broader modernisation of IP administration taking place across Africa.

As IP registries increasingly embrace digital systems and electronic processes, these developments are helping to make IP administration more efficient, accessible and responsive to the needs of rights holders and practitioners.

Zambia’s latest step is therefore a welcome development in the continued evolution of the region’s Intellectual Property landscape.

For any assistance or queries relating to Intellectual Property matters in Zambia or across the region, please feel free to reach out to our Intellectual Property team at cfltrademarks@cfllegal.com.