Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
ZIMBABWE is intensifying efforts to strengthen its intellectual property (IP) regime through ratifying international treaties, digitisation of patent administration and enhancing support for innovation as it positions intellectual property at the centre of industrialisation and economic transformation.
In a speech read on his behalf by Zimbabwe’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organisations in Geneva, Ambassador Ever Mlilo during the 67th Session of the Assemblies of the Member States of WIPO in Geneva, Switzerland, Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Ziyambi Ziyambi, said the country was advancing the ratification and domestication of several World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO)-administered treaties, with the relevant instruments expected to be deposited in the near future.
“Zimbabwe remains committed to strengthening its intellectual property framework and is advancing the ratification and domestication of several WIPO-administered treaties, with the relevant instruments expected to be deposited in the near future,” said Minister Ziyambi.
He said the reforms were part of broader efforts to harness intellectual property as a driver of innovation, entrepreneurship, industrialisation and sustainable development.
Minister Ziyambi said Zimbabwe had recorded notable progress in modernising its intellectual property administration through the successful completion of the Patent Digitisation Project funded under the Japan Funds-in-Trust.
“We express our sincere appreciation to WIPO and the Government of Japan for their continued support,” he said.
“This project represents an important milestone in our efforts to transform the Zimbabwe Intellectual Property Office into a modern, efficient and service-oriented institution.”
He said cooperation between Zimbabwe and WIPO had continued to deepen following WIPO Director General Daren Tang’s official visit to Harare in December last year, during which he met President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Among the key outcomes of the visit was the launch of the Geographical Indications Project to protect and promote the internationally recognised Chipinge Coffee, a development expected to enhance the value of Zimbabwean products on global markets.
Minister Ziyambi also commended WIPO’s Small and Medium Enterprises Mentorship and Coaching Programme, saying it had enabled local entrepreneurs to better understand, protect and commercialise their intellectual property assets.
He cited entrepreneur Perseverance Mazeya as one of the programme’s success stories after leveraging intellectual property tools to expand her business across Africa.
The minister said Zimbabwe continued to benefit from the WIPO Academy’s Master of Intellectual Property Programme, jointly delivered with ARIPO and Africa University, which has produced highly skilled intellectual property professionals contributing to national and regional development.
He also acknowledged the contribution of the Madrid Fellowship Programme in strengthening the capacity of officials at the Zimbabwe Intellectual Property Office.
“As we look to the future, Zimbabwe remains committed to leveraging intellectual property as a catalyst for innovation, industrialisation, entrepreneurship and sustainable development,” said Minister Ziyambi.
He commended WIPO for its continued support to developing countries and reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to working with the organisation to advance intellectual property as a key pillar of economic growth.
