Wipo to help Zimbabwe craft new national IP strategy

Wallace Ruzvidzo, Harare Bureau

THE World Intellectual Property Organisation (Wipo) will assist Zimbabwe in creating a new national intellectual property strategy, which is critical to the country’s development, Wipo Director General Daren Tang has said. His three-day visit marks the first time a Wipo Director General has visited Zimbabwe.

After a closed-door meeting with President Mnangagwa at State House in Harare, Mr Tang expressed optimism at witnessing Zimbabweans begin to harness their innovative, entrepreneurial and creative potential.

“I want to ensure that, at the national level, we are also going to help Zimbabwe formulate a new IP strategy, working closely with the minister and other officials. Intellectual property will be vital for this country’s progress because as we innovate, create and become entrepreneurs, we seek new ideas,” he said.

Mr Tang noted that President Mnangagwa had shared Zimbabwe’s impressive developmental philosophy, nyika inovakwa nevene vayo, which translates to “a country is built by its people.” He emphasised the need for new ideas to be protected by intellectual property and subsequently commercialised.

Together with the Zimbabwean Government, Wipo will focus efforts on four or five major areas, including supporting innovation hubs and ensuring that creators receive the necessary assistance.

“We aim to support your creators. This includes talented individuals like Jah Prayzah and the legendary Oliver Mtukudzi, who blended Zimbabwean rhythms with jazz, as well as rising stars like Comic Elder, a popular YouTube personality,” he said.

Mr Tang also identified various sectors where Wipo could provide assistance, including agriculture and stone sculpture. Today, he will graduate 50 small and medium-scale entrepreneurs who have been mentored by Wipo over the past nine to twelve months.

“We will ensure that as they create, their works are protected and enhanced by copyright. Additionally, we want to bolster the country’s remarkable agricultural resources. We are looking at securing protection for Chipinge coffee and exploring support for Shona stone sculpture, an important facet of your culture.

“Intellectual property is especially crucial for those innovating and creating at the grassroots level. We want to ensure that it accompanies Zimbabweans who view innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship as a means of livelihood and a source of growth,” Mr Tang stated.

Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi, remarked that the Government and WIPO would collaborate closely moving forward.

“This visit is significant for us. As the Director General has indicated, we want to work together with WIPO to unlock the value of intellectual property.”

He reiterated the importance of supporting and developing Chipinge coffee, Shona sculpture and the creative industry, ensuring their works are protected through patents.

During his stay, Mr Tang will engage with various ministers, including the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, the Minister of Agriculture, the Minister of Sports and Culture, and the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises.

“Together, we will explore how to utilise the knowledge available through WIPO for the development of our country. Those are the individuals on the ground who can unlock their potential to foster national growth,” said Minister Ziyambi.