The
African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) reinforced its
commitment to advancing agricultural innovation and strengthening plant variety
protection (PVP) systems in Africa through its participation in the 26th
African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA) Congress 2026.
Representing
ARIPO at the high-level gathering was Mr. Said Ramadhan, Head of Search and
Substantive Examination, who attended at the invitation of the AFSTA Secretary
General. The Congress brought together seed companies, national seed trade
associations, regulators, policymakers, development partners, and international
organizations from across Africa and beyond to discuss emerging trends, policy
developments, and innovations shaping the future of the seed sector.
Officially
opened by South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture, Honourable John Henry
Steenhuisen, the Congress provided a strategic platform for stakeholders to
exchange ideas on strengthening seed systems, promoting innovation, and
safeguarding market integrity across the continent.
For
ARIPO, participation in the Congress presented a valuable opportunity to engage
directly with key stakeholders in the seed industry and provide updates on the
implementation of plant variety protection systems in Africa. Particular
emphasis was placed on the ARIPO Arusha Protocol for the Protection of New
Varieties of Plants, which establishes a harmonized regional framework for the
protection of breeders’ rights among participating Member States.
During
the Congress, Mr. Ramadhan delivered a presentation entitled “The Role of Plant
Variety Protection in Safeguarding Innovation and Combatting Illegal Seed
Practices: Harmonised Regional Protocols to Advance Plant Variety Protection in
Africa – The Arusha Protocol.” The presentation highlighted the critical role
of intellectual property rights in supporting agricultural development,
encouraging investment in plant breeding, and fostering a more competitive and
innovative seed sector.
A
key message delivered to participants was that plant variety protection
systems, such as the Arusha Protocol, contribute significantly to food security
and agricultural innovation by granting breeders time-limited exclusive rights
over propagating material. These rights enable breeders to recoup research and
development investments while encouraging the ongoing development of improved
crop varieties that are more productive, resilient, and responsive to farmers'
needs.
The
presentation also underscored a major milestone for the regional PVP system:
the entry into force of the Arusha Protocol on 27 November 2024. The Protocol
empowers ARIPO to grant and administer breeders’ rights on behalf of
Contracting States, creating a streamlined and cost-effective mechanism for
protecting new plant varieties across multiple jurisdictions. Seed companies
and breeders were encouraged to utilize the system to secure protection for
their innovations and support the growth of the formal seed sector.
In
addition to promoting the Arusha Protocol, ARIPO provided an overview of its
broader mandate and intellectual property services relevant to the agricultural
value chain. These include the Harare Protocol, which facilitates the
protection of patents, utility models, and industrial designs, and the Banjul
Protocol, which provides for the registration and protection of trademarks and
branding. Together with the Arusha Protocol, these instruments offer innovators
and businesses a comprehensive suite of intellectual property tools to support commercialisation,
market expansion, and sustainable growth.
The
Congress enabled ARIPO to provide the seed industry with an update on the
implementation of the regional PVP system, promote greater understanding of
plant variety protection as a driver of innovation and competitiveness, and
strengthen collaboration with key industry players. It also emphasized ARIPO’s
reliability within the seed sector, reinforcing its commitment to building
partnerships that advance innovation, agricultural productivity, and
sustainable development across Africa.
As
the implementation of the Arusha Protocol continues to gain momentum, ARIPO
remains dedicated to working with breeders, seed companies, policymakers, and
development partners to ensure that intellectual property systems effectively
support agricultural transformation, food security, and economic growth
throughout the continent.