ARIPO Launches 50th Anniversary Celebrations Highlighting Five Decades of Intellectual Property Advancement in Africa

The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) marked the beginning of its 50th Anniversary year with an official launch ceremony held at the ARIPO Secretariat. The event, streamed live to stakeholders across Africa and beyond, featured the unveiling of a commemorative Golden Jubilee logo symbolizing ARIPO’s enduring legacy and commitment to intellectual property (IP) development on the continent.

Under the theme “Fostering innovation, creativity, and a sustainable future for Africa,” the launch convened government representatives, diplomats, development partners, IP lawyers, innovators, creators, academia, industry leaders, and media members. This diverse gathering underscored ARIPO’s broad impact and collaborative approach to advancing IP systems in Africa.

Honourable Nobert Tichaona Mazungunye, Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, attending on behalf of Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi as Guest of Honour, highlighted the strategic importance of intellectual property in driving national and regional development. He reaffirmed the commitment of ARIPO Member States to strengthening IP frameworks as catalysts for innovation, industrialization, investment, and sustainable growth.

“Our appreciation to the current and former Directors General of ARIPO and their teams for ably leading this great institution over the years and for formulating robust protocols that have empowered inventors, creators, and businesses across the region,” Honourable Mazungunye stated.

ARIPO Director General Mr. Bemanya Twebaze delivered the opening remarks, framing the Golden Jubilee as both a moment of reflection and a call to action. He emphasized the significance of five decades of service to Member States and the organization’s role in supporting inventors, creators, researchers, entrepreneurs, and communities in transforming ideas into impactful innovations.

Paying tribute to ARIPO’s founding visionaries, Mr. Twebaze acknowledged their foresight in recognizing intellectual property’s central role in Africa’s development. He pledged to lead the organization into its next phase of growth with a dedicated Secretariat and responsive governing bodies.

“As we gather here, we do so with gratitude for those who came before us. Visionaries unified by a shared belief that intellectual property would be central to Africa’s development. I stand before you humbled by the faith you have placed in me, honoured to serve, and proud to lead a team that ensures excellence is not the exception, but the standard,” Mr. Twebaze remarked.

Mr. Willie Mushayi, Chief Registrar of Deeds, Companies and Intellectual Property Zimbabwe (CIPZ), speaking on behalf of the ARIPO Administrative Council, underscored the importance of robust IP administration, institutional cooperation, and capacity building. He commended ARIPO for five decades of excellence and impactful service in delivering accessible intellectual property services across the region.

Throughout 2026, ARIPO will host a series of high-level symposia, each focusing on critical pillars of the intellectual property ecosystem. These strategic forums aim to facilitate policy dialogue, knowledge exchange, and partnerships to strengthen Africa’s IP landscape, supporting innovation, industrialization, creative industries, and sustainable development.

The Golden Jubilee celebrations will culminate on 9 December 2026 with a flagship event at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, Zambia—the birthplace of the Lusaka Agreement that established ARIPO. The ARIPO IP Africa Conference will convene policymakers, global experts, innovators, investors, and development partners to chart the future IP agenda for Africa.

This landmark gathering will both honor ARIPO’s origins and serve as a forward-looking platform to define the organization’s strategic direction for the next 50 years, emphasizing innovation-led growth, regional integration, and sustainable development.

ARIPO is an intergovernmental organization comprising 21 Member States, including Botswana, Eswatini, Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, São Tomé & Príncipe, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It facilitates cooperation in intellectual property matters to promote, develop, and harmonize IP laws and policies across the region.