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THE African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) has officially commenced its 50th-anniversary celebrations, marking five decades of transforming African ideas into economic assets that power the continent’s development.
The golden jubilee launch and the unveiling of the “ARIPO@50” logo took place at the organisation’s headquarters in Harare on the 2nd of March 2026. The event signals a year-long commemoration of the institution’s growth from a regional aspiration in 1976 to a cornerstone of Africa’s intellectual property (IP) architecture.
In remarks delivered on his behalf by Deputy Minister Honourable Nobert Mazungunye, the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi, described the milestone as a celebration of “African unity in Intellectual Property.”
“Throughout the last 50 years, ARIPO has grown from strength to strength, and its impact in shaping the IP landscape in Africa cannot be overemphasised,” Minister Ziyambi said. He noted that since Zimbabwe became the permanent home of the Secretariat in 1982, the institution has formulated robust protocols — covering patents, marks, traditional knowledge, and copyright — that have empowered creators across the region.
As the continent moves towards deeper economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Minister Ziyambi stressed that ARIPO must remain at the vanguard of IP administration.
“It is crucial that ARIPO remains at the forefront of IP administration, supported by an aligned continental trade and industrialisation policy under the AfCFTA framework,” he said. “Such a framework will strengthen Africa’s competitiveness and facilitate cross-border innovation and trade.”
The Minister further announced that Zimbabwe would join other Member States for a historic “pilgrimage” on 9 December 2026 to the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Zambia — the cradle of the organisation’s existence — to conclude the anniversary year.
Speaking at the same occasion, ARIPO Director General, Mr Bemanya Twebaze, stated that while the anniversary celebrates the past, it serves primarily as a mandate for the future. He highlighted the urgent need to protect the work of Africa’s young developers, plant breeders, and musicians.
“Our responsibility is clear: their ideas must not remain vulnerable. They must be protected. They must be commercialised.
‘‘They must be empowered to compete,” Mr Twebaze asserted.
He unveiled the anniversary theme, “Fostering Innovation, Creativity, and a Sustainable Future for Africa,” noting that the new logo represents “forward momentum” and a commitment to ensuring innovation moves across borders with protection and commercial value.
The launch was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, industry leaders, and legal practitioners. Minister Ziyambi concluded his remarks by urging the Secretariat to broaden the organisation’s membership and deepen regional cooperation to safeguard institutional continuity.
“Together, let us ensure that intellectual property remains a universal tool that is simple, accessible, relevant, and transformative for every African,” the Minister concluded his remarks..
The 50th-anniversary year is expected to feature a series of events aimed at strengthening IP literacy among the youth and showcasing African success stories as the organisation positions itself for the next half-century of service.
