ARIPO Administrative Council opens 49th session in Accra

Speaking at the opening ceremony, ARIPO director general Bemanya Twebaze acknowledged Ghana’s longstanding role in the development of IP frameworks in Africa. He noted the country’s early adoption of key regional and international IP instruments, including the WIPO Convention, the Lusaka Agreement, the Harare Protocol and, most recently, the Arusha Protocol. Twebaze also highlighted the registration of the Kente Geographical Indication as an example of how IP can support cultural preservation and community livelihoods.

In his address, Twebaze said Africa’s IP landscape is being reshaped by technological change, including digital transformation, artificial intelligence and green technologies. He emphasised the need for African IP systems to adapt to global trends and support innovation.

The director general reported that ARIPO’s Strategic Plan for 2022–2026 is more than 80% implemented, with progress recorded in operational modernisation, governance and transparency. Reforms in filing and examination have reduced processing times, while digital systems now allow for real-time application tracking and data-driven decision-making.

Twebaze also noted positive trends in patent and trademark activity under the Harare and Banjul Protocols, as well as increasing uptake of the Kampala Protocol on voluntary copyright registration. Early filings under the Arusha Protocol, which came into force in 2024, are also rising.

Capacity building for IP professionals and policymakers remains a core focus, alongside efforts to support Africa’s creative industries. Twebaze referenced the value of the continent’s cultural and creative sector, estimating its worth at more than $58 billion annually in sub-Saharan Africa.

ARIPO is expanding its collaboration with universities and innovation hubs through support for technology transfer offices, patent drafting initiatives and programmes linking research and industry. These efforts are aimed at accelerating the development of market-ready technologies in areas such as agriculture, health, energy and climate resilience.

The organisation continues to strengthen internal governance and risk management systems, including the alignment of audit and compliance mechanisms with international standards. Ongoing digitisation of IP records and further refinement of ARIPO’s Enterprise Resource Planning system are expected to improve operational efficiency.

Twebaze underscored the importance of partnerships with regional and international bodies, naming organisations such as OAPI, the European Union Intellectual Property Office, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, the Japan Patent Office, the China National Intellectual Property Administration, the European Patent Office and others as key collaborators.

Next year marks ARIPO’s fiftieth anniversary. Zambia, where the organisation was founded, will host the ARIPO@50 celebrations in December 2026. According to Twebaze, the event will reflect on five decades of African IP development and bring together policymakers, researchers, inventors and creative practitioners.

Twebaze closed by encouraging continued cooperation among Member States and emphasised the role of IP in supporting the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. He said the continent’s capacity to cultivate innovation would determine the future of Africa’s knowledge economy.