Good Morning, Bom Dia! Me Ma Mo Akwaaba!
It is a great honour to address this distinguished assembly at the Forty-Ninth Session of the Administrative Council of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO). On behalf of our Organization, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Government and people of the Republic of Ghana for their gracious hospitality and the warmth they have extended to all of us since our arrival. Accra once again demonstrates its excellence in hosting regional and international gatherings that shape Africa’s development agenda.
Our meeting today is not only a continuation of ARIPO’s proud tradition of collective deliberation, but also a reaffirmation of our shared vision, a vision of an Africa that harnesses knowledge, creativity, and innovation as engines for growth and prosperity.
Guest of Honour,
Ghana’s
contribution to the advancement of intellectual property in Africa is both
historic and inspiring. Since signing the WIPO Convention in 1976 and joining
the Lusaka Agreement in 1978, Ghana has consistently championed IP as a
catalyst for industrial development and creative empowerment. Its adoption of
the Harare Protocol in 1984, and more recently, the Arusha Protocol in 2023,
demonstrates remarkable consistency in vision and leadership.
Equally commendable is the registration of the Kente Geographical Indication, which celebrates Ghanaian culture while providing economic benefits to local communities. This achievement demonstrates how intellectual property can protect cultural heritage and support sustainable livelihoods.
We salute Ghana’s leadership, guided by Honourable Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, and the diligent work of Mrs. Grace Issahaque and her team at the Registrar General’s Department. Your commitment illustrates how strong national IP systems serve as pillars for continental integration.
Distinguished delegates, we gather at a time when powerful global forces, such as digital transformation, artificial intelligence, green technologies, and new business models, are reshaping the intellectual property landscape. These shifts compel us to rethink how IP systems in Africa must evolve to remain relevant, resilient, and inclusive.
ARIPO’s Strategic Plan 2022–2026, which is now over 80% implemented, was crafted precisely to address these emerging realities. Through it, we have modernized our operations, strengthened governance, and built a culture of transparency and accountability within the Organization.
We have deepened engagement with inventors, creators, SMEs, universities, and research institutions. Our reforms in filing and examination have reduced processing time and improved user satisfaction. New technologies now enable real-time application tracking, data-driven decision-making, and broader access for stakeholders across our Member States.
Yet modernization is not only about systems, it is about people. We have prioritized capacity building, equipping IP professionals, examiners, and policymakers with the tools to navigate the complexities of new technologies and global IP trends.
These collective efforts are bearing fruit. Patent applications continue to rise, reflecting renewed confidence in the Harare Protocol, while Marks under the Banjul Protocol are also on a positive trend. Under copyright, implementation of the Nairobi and Harare Strategic Plans is progressing steadily, while the Kampala Protocol on Voluntary Registration of Copyright continues to gain momentum. In the same vein, we have received several filings under the Arusha Protocol, indicating an upward trend since its entry into force in November 2024.
We are also scaling up initiatives that harness Africa’s vibrant creative and cultural industries, a sector valued at over US$58 billion annually in sub-Saharan Africa, yet still underutilized. By promoting copyright awareness and digital distribution rights, ARIPO aims to empower artists, musicians, and creators to protect and monetize their work both locally and globally.
Our collaborations with universities and innovation hubs are expanding. We are supporting technology transfer offices, patent drafting training, and stronger linkages between academia and industry. These initiatives are helping transform ideas from African laboratories into market-ready solutions, addressing challenges in agriculture, energy, health, and climate adaptation.
Institutional resilience remains at the heart of ARIPO’s growth. We have strengthened governance, risk management, and accountability frameworks to ensure integrity and efficiency. Our internal audit and compliance mechanisms now align with international standards, guaranteeing responsible management of public resources.
Digitization continues to be a key driver of transformation. We have accelerated the digitization of IP records, improved data quality, and enhanced analytics to support evidence-based policymaking. The deployment of our Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, though still being refined, is streamlining operations and increasing transparency.
Distinguished delegates, no organization can thrive in isolation. ARIPO’s success rests on a network of strategic partnerships that amplify our impact. We continue to work closely with regional and international partners, ensuring alignment with best practices while respecting national sovereignty. Our collaboration with OAPI through the Joint Commission is a model of regional unity — harmonizing our activities and presenting a coordinated African voice in global IP fora.
We also value our cooperation with various partners including the European Union Intellectual Property Office, Canadian Intellectual Property Office, Japan Patent Office, China National Intellectual Property Administration, European Patent Office, Intellectual Property Office of Singapore, Korean Ministry of Intellectual Property, IFRRO, UPOV, and others. Their technical assistance, training, and knowledge exchange have significantly enhanced ARIPO’s institutional capacity.
Guest of Honour, distinguished colleagues, next year, ARIPO will mark a historic milestone, our Golden Jubilee. The Republic of Zambia, the birthplace of our Organization, has graciously agreed to host this celebration in December 2026. ARIPO@50 will be more than a commemoration; it will be a reflection on five decades of progress, a celebration of resilience, and a renewed commitment to the future.
It will showcase African innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship by bringing together policymakers, inventors, researchers, IP professionals, and creative minds to envision the next fifty years of intellectual property in Africa. We invite all Member States, partners, and stakeholders to join us in Lusaka for this landmark event, a tribute to Africa’s journey toward self-reliance through knowledge and innovation.
Distinguished delegates, our work at ARIPO reflects a shared conviction that Africa’s future depends on how well we nurture the creativity, ingenuity, and resilience of its people. Intellectual property is the bridge between imagination and prosperity. We are committed to deepening cooperation with Member States to integrate IP into national development strategies and promote IP education at all levels, as the innovators of tomorrow are in our classrooms today.
Let us therefore strengthen our cooperation, uphold transparency, and build robust institutions that serve innovators and creators across our continent. As an African proverb reminds us, “Wisdom is like a baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it.” Together, we can help ARIPO achieve its vision to make IP a driver of Africa’s transformation.
We are called to champion IP systems that empower African entrepreneurs to scale solutions in agriculture, renewable energy, digital finance, and biotechnology, ensuring that intellectual property becomes not merely a legal framework, but a strategic tool for achieving the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Together, we can transform Africa’s immense potential into tangible progress that benefits every citizen. The future of intellectual property is indeed in Africa, and together, we will define it.
I thank you.