Harare, Zimbabwe, June 29–30, 2026 – Representatives from 22 African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) Member States, and two observer states, together with experts from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the personnel of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), and the Government of Japan, met in Harare to strengthen regional cooperation on Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs) and advance innovation ecosystems across Africa.

Objective

• To strengthen cooperation among ARIPO Member States in the development of Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs).
• To review the progress of national TISC networks and identify opportunities to enhance their sustainability and effectiveness.
• To develop a Regional TISC Action Plan aligned with the ARIPO Strategic Plan and WIPO's Global TISC Program.
• The meeting was jointly organized by WIPO and ARIPO, with financial support from the Japan Patent Office (JPO) through the WIPO Japan Funds-in-Trust for Industrial Property (FIT/Japan IP Global).

Participation

• Representatives from 22 ARIPO Member States and 2 Observer States (National TISC coordinators).
• Officials from WIPO and ARIPO.
• Representatives of the Government of Japan.

Key Messages from the Opening Ceremony

WIPO

• Thanked the Government of Japan for its support.
• Reaffirmed WIPO's commitment to supporting innovation ecosystems through effective intellectual property services.
• Highlighted the positive innovation trends emerging across several ARIPO Member States.
• Emphasized that TISCs are essential innovation support institutions that help researchers, inventors and entrepreneurs transform ideas into marketable innovations.
• Noted that nearly 200 TISCs are operating across ARIPO Member and Observer States, responding to approximately 200,000 requests for support annually.
• Encouraged closer integration of TISCs into national innovation ecosystems and stronger regional collaboration.
• Encouraged the use of TPPM by member states to manage their TISC networks.
• Encouraged member states to have their TISC personnel certified by WIPO (Certification Program).

ARIPO

• Thanked the Government of Japan for its support.
• Emphasized that stronger access to technological information is critical for Africa's transition to knowledge-based economies.
• Highlighted the strategic value of patent information for research, technology transfer, commercialization and industrial development.
• Called on Member States to recognize TISCs as strategic national assets integrated into universities, research institutions, innovation hubs and SME support organizations.
• Encouraged the development of a practical Regional TISC Action Plan with measurable priorities and responsibilities.

Government of Japan

• Reaffirmed Japan's continued commitment to strengthening innovation capacity through the WIPO Japan Funds-in-Trust program.
• Highlighted the importance of international cooperation in expanding access to technological information, strengthening institutional capacities and supporting innovation-led economic development.
• Reiterated Japan's support for the continued partnership with WIPO and ARIPO in advancing innovation across Africa.

Main Activities

• Review of progress achieved by national TISC networks.
• Presentation of updates on WIPO's Global TISC Program.
• Exchange of experiences and best practices among ARIPO Member States.
• Discussion of the ARIPO Strategic Plan and its relevance to TISC development.
• Interactive breakout sessions on:
  
  • Awareness raising;
  • Capacity development;
  • Information resources and platforms; and
  • Institutional policies.
• Preparation and validation of the Regional TISC Action Plan.

Key Outcomes

• Agreement on the main priorities for the ARIPO Regional TISC Action Plan.
• Strengthened cooperation among national TISC networks throughout the region.
• Identification of priority capacity-building activities and technical assistance needs.
• Reinforced commitment to integrating TISCs into national innovation ecosystems.
• Enhanced collaboration between WIPO, ARIPO and the Government of Japan to support innovation, technology transfer, and commercialization.

Impact of the Japan Funds-in-Trust

• Enabled the organization of the regional meeting and participation of experts from across the ARIPO region.
• Supported dialogue among national innovation stakeholders and intellectual property institutions.
• Contributed to the development of a coordinated regional framework for strengthening TISC services.
• Reinforced WIPO's and ARIPO's shared objective of improving access to technological information and promoting innovation-driven economic development across Africa.