Tanzania Urges WIPO to Develop Inclusive IP Framework Supporting AI Benefits for Developing Nations

Tanzania has formally appealed to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to establish a more inclusive global intellectual property (IP) system that enables developing countries to fully benefit from rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies.

The appeal was made during the 68th WIPO General Assembly held in Geneva, where Ambassador Hoyce Temu, Deputy Permanent Representative of Tanzania to the United Nations, delivered the country’s statement on behalf of Ambassador Possi.

Ambassador Temu underscored that intellectual property remains a strategic tool for promoting innovation, industrial growth, and sustainable socio-economic development. She emphasized Tanzania’s recognition of IP as a key driver in building a knowledge-based economy and identified AI as a significant opportunity to accelerate innovation and economic transformation.

“Tanzania believes that inclusive intellectual property systems, capacity building, and technology transfer are essential to enable developing countries to fully benefit from artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies,” Ambassador Temu stated.

This call comes amid ongoing international discussions on adapting global IP frameworks to keep pace with the rapid growth of AI technologies. Developing countries have increasingly advocated for stronger international cooperation in technology transfer and knowledge sharing to bridge the digital divide.

Ambassador Temu highlighted Tanzania’s efforts to strengthen its IP ecosystem through comprehensive legal reforms, improved service delivery, enhanced enforcement mechanisms, institutional capacity building, and increased public awareness of intellectual property rights.

She also commended WIPO for its continued technical assistance and capacity-building support to Tanzania. This includes initiatives such as intellectual property management clinics for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups, technology transfer programs involving universities and research institutions, patent examination training, and the implementation of digital IP management systems.

“Tanzania remains committed to strengthening its intellectual property system so that it contributes more effectively to innovation, investment, entrepreneurship, job creation, and sustainable economic growth,” Ambassador Temu affirmed.

Looking ahead, Tanzania intends to continue collaborating closely with WIPO and other member states to promote an inclusive, equitable, and future-ready intellectual property framework. Such a framework would be capable of responding to the evolving needs of current and emerging technologies, ensuring that developing countries are not left behind in the global innovation landscape.