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HARARE, Zimbabwe – The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) convened a WIPO-ARIPO Regional Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) Meeting with support from Funds-in-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global to review and catalyze progress on a regional strategy designed to support the commercialization of research and innovation across member states.
The meeting was opened by Mr. Bemanya Twebaze, Director General, ARIPO and Mr. Hiroyuki Kumagai, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Japan in Zimbabwe and included 19 senior representatives from ARIPO member states and two representatives from observer states.
Continued Expansion of the Global TISC Network
The global TISC program currently operates 1,632 centers worldwide, receiving over 2 million inquiries annually across 93 national and 4 regional networks. The ARIPO region is implementing its own network following the adoption of a Regional TISC Action Plan in 2018 within the framework of a WIPO-ARIPO Regional Meeting supported by Funds-in-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global.
Advances in National TISC Networks across ARIPO Member States
The WIPO-ARIPO Regional TISC Meeting provided an opportunity for ARIPO member states to exchange experiences and lessons learned in developing their national TISC networks. Member states reported varying levels of TISC network development:
Early-stage programs are being developed in Somalia, Sudan, Eswatini, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Sierra Leone. Mauritius currently has no formal TISC but operates an Intellectual Property Promotion Scheme through its Research and Innovation Council.
Case Study: The Gambia
MESE Energy Solutions, led by innovator Mariama Sarge, developed a solar multifunctional cart with TISC support and is pursuing international patent protection through the PCT system. The project has received funding from UNESCO and UNDP, with installations in Senegal.
Putting Education at the Center of IP Development
The WIPO-ARIPO Regional TISC Meeting reviewed numerous educational initiatives implemented by WIPO, ARIPO, and ARIPO member states.
The WIPO-ARIPO-Africa University Masters in Intellectual Property program has graduated 463 students from 28 African countries. The program operates at Africa University in Zimbabwe, the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana.
Additional programs include IP School Clubs for youth aged 13-18, initially piloted in Botswana, Malawi, and Zimbabwe in 2022, with expansion to Liberia, Ghana, Tanzania, and Rwanda in 2024.
Addressing Implementation Challenges
The WIPO-ARIPO Regional TISC Meeting identified a recurring pattern across the continent: patent holders often file applications without having established commercialization pathways or industry partnerships. This results in difficulty maintaining granted patents due to accumulating fees, frequently leading to abandonment of rights.
Mr. Elangi Botoy Ituku, Industrial Property Information Officer, WIPO noted that many inventors seek patent protection before evaluating commercial viability or identifying potential partners, which can lead to difficulties in monetizing their innovations.
Participants also identified common barriers to the development of national TISC networks, including:
Implementation Framework
The meeting provided an opportunity to further develop the ARIPO Regional TISC Action Plan, structured around five pillars:
Next Steps
Several countries announced specific plans to further develop their national TISC networks in line with the ARIPO Regional TISC Action Plan, with Somalia to submit a formal request to WIPO for TISC program implementation; Rwanda to establish 15 regional TISCs by the end of 2025, and Sudan to consider expansion of its pilot program at Sudan University of Science and Technology to additional higher education institutions.