ARIPO Golden Jubilee to Strengthen Innovation and Creativity in Africa
The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) has officially launched its 50th anniversary year celebrations, unveiling a commemorative Golden Jubilee logo at a high-level ceremony held at the ARIPO Secretariat.
The event, streamed live to stakeholders across Africa and beyond, marked the start of a year-long programme celebrating five decades of advancing intellectual property (IP) protection, innovation and creativity on the continent.
Held under the theme “Fostering innovation, creativity, and a sustainable future for Africa,” the launch brought together government officials, diplomats, development partners, IP lawyers, innovators, creators, academia, industry leaders and the media. The newly unveiled logo symbolises ARIPO’s enduring legacy and renewed commitment to shaping Africa’s innovation-driven future.
The ceremony was graced by Honourable Nobert Tichaona Mazungunye, Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, representing Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi, who attended as Guest of Honour.
He highlighted the strategic role of intellectual property in national and regional development, reaffirming the commitment of ARIPO Member States to strengthening IP systems as a catalyst for innovation, industrialisation, investment and sustainable growth.
“Our appreciation goes 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 said.
Delivering opening remarks, ARIPO Director General Bemanya Twebaze described the Golden Jubilee as both a moment of reflection and a call to action.
“Fifty years is a significant milestone for any institution. For ARIPO, it represents five decades of service to our Member States; five decades of delivering intellectual property services across our region; and five decades of supporting inventors, creators, researchers, entrepreneurs and communities as they transform ideas into impact,” he said.
Mr Twebaze paid tribute to the visionaries who laid ARIPO’s foundation, acknowledging their foresight in recognising the central role of intellectual property in development. He reaffirmed his commitment to steering the organisation into its next phase of growth alongside a dedicated Secretariat and responsive governing bodies.
Speaking on behalf of the ARIPO Administrative Council, Willie Mushayi, Chief Registrar of Deeds, Companies and Intellectual Property Zimbabwe (CIPZ), highlighted the importance of strong IP administration, institutional cooperation and capacity building in delivering accessible and effective IP services across the region.
As part of the Golden Jubilee commemorations, ARIPO will convene a series of high-level symposia throughout 2026, each focusing on a critical pillar of the intellectual property ecosystem.
These platforms are expected to foster policy dialogue, knowledge exchange and partnerships to strengthen Africa’s IP landscape while supporting innovation, industrialisation, creative industries and sustainable development.
The anniversary year will culminate in a flagship event on 9 December 2026 in Lusaka, Zambia, at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, the home of the Lusaka Agreement that established ARIPO.
The gathering will feature the ARIPO IP Africa Conference, bringing together policymakers, global experts, innovators, investors and development partners to shape Africa’s future IP agenda.
The event will serve both as a tribute to ARIPO’s origins and a forward-looking platform to chart the organisation’s strategic direction for the next 50 years of innovation-led growth, regional integration and sustainable development.
