Mohloai Mpesi
THE African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) has convened its 48th session to strengthen intellectual property (IP) systems in Southern Africa.
The region has long faced challenges due to an insufficient legal framework on IP.
The five-day session, attended by representatives from 22 African countries, began on Monday at Avani Lesotho and concludes tomorrow.
The event saw the participation of Minister of Law and Justice Richard Ramoeletsi, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Limpho Tau, Minister of Gender, Youth and Social Development Pitso Lesaoana and Attorney General Rapelang Motsieloa.
The ARIPO member states include Botswana, Cape Verde, Eswatini, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, and Namibia, among others.
The ARIPO administrative council, the organisation’s supreme policy-making body, comprises heads of intellectual property offices from the 22 member countries. This council establishes policies related to intellectual property rights across Africa.
This marks Lesotho’s second time hosting the event, the first being in November 2007. Lesotho joined ARIPO on 23 July 1987.
ARIPO Director General, Bemanya Twebaze, said there was need for innovation and creativity in response to the world’s rapid digital transformation.
“The digital revolution has reshaped industries globally, and there is no slowing down. Consider Kodak – once a dominant player in photography, now a cautionary tale for failing to innovate. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies like IBM Watson are transforming industries such as law and healthcare. Studies suggest that up to 90% of today’s jobs could be replaced by technology. The pressing question for us, as a region, is how we prepare for this seismic shift,” he said.
Mr Twebaze stressed that ARIPO was committed to fostering innovation by strengthening IP systems, adopting technology, and building capacity within the region. He noted that ARIPO also provided awareness training for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), communications personnel, and research institutions to maximise the benefits of copyright.
He said the session was an opportunity for the ARIPO Secretariat to report on legal frameworks, stakeholder engagement, and partnerships.
“With your invaluable support, we continue to build capacity to make ARIPO more inclusive, agile, and high-performing. This year, we increased member state representation from 13 in 2021 to 17,” he said.
He said ARIPO had also seen improvements financially, reporting a USD2.9 million increase in cash and cash equivalents as of 31 August 2023.
“As of 31 August, total cash and cash equivalents stood at USD21.2 million, representing an improvement of USD2.9 million (16 percent) from the 2023 balance of US18.3million.
“The secretariat’s total operating balances stood at US9.1 million compared to US7.6 million in the same period in 2023, representing an improvement of USD1.4 million (19 percent).
“ARIPO’s current assets exceeded current liabilities by USD4.5 million compared to USD3.5 million in the corresponding period last year. This means the organisation can clear all its current liabilities and remain with positive balance of cash and cash equivalents amounting to USD4.5 million.”
Registrar General, Mamoretlo Mohapi, pointed to challenges in the IP landscape, such as limited infrastructure and a lack of awareness about IP.
“Over the coming days, this administrative council will discuss critical matters that will lay the groundwork for robust IP frameworks, ensuring IP rights are protected, respected, and fully utilised for the region’s benefit,” she said.
