ARIPO Unveils 50th Anniversary Logo, Kicks Off Year-Long Jubilee Programme
HARARE, Zimbabwe, March 3, 2026 — The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) has officially launched its 50th Anniversary celebrations, unveiling a commemorative Golden Jubilee logo during a high-level ceremony at its Secretariat in Harare. The event, streamed live to stakeholders across Africa and globally, marks the start of a year-long programme honouring five decades of advancing intellectual property (IP) protection, innovation, and creativity on the continent.
Held under the theme “Fostering Innovation, Creativity, and a Sustainable Future for Africa,” the launch convened government officials, diplomats, development partners, IP practitioners, innovators, academics, industry leaders, and media representatives. The unveiling of the anniversary logo symbolised ARIPO’s enduring legacy and renewed commitment to shaping Africa’s innovation-driven future.
The ceremony was graced by Honourable Nobert Tichaona Mazungunye, Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, representing Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi. He highlighted the strategic role of intellectual property in driving national and regional development and reaffirmed ARIPO Member States’ commitment to strengthening IP systems as engines for innovation, industrialisation, investment, and sustainable growth.
In his opening remarks, ARIPO Director General Bemanya Twebaze described the Golden Jubilee as both a celebration of achievement and a call to action.
“Fifty years is a significant milestone for any institution. For ARIPO, it represents five decades of service to our Member States and of supporting inventors, creators, researchers, entrepreneurs, and communities as they transform ideas into impact,” he said.
Mr. Twebaze paid tribute to the visionaries who founded ARIPO, acknowledging their foresight in recognising intellectual property as central to Africa’s development agenda. He reaffirmed his commitment to guiding the Organisation into its next phase of growth alongside a dedicated Secretariat and responsive governing bodies.
Mr. Willie Mushayi, Chief Registrar of Deeds, Companies and Intellectual Property Zimbabwe (CIPZ), speaking on behalf of the ARIPO Administrative Council, emphasised the importance of strong IP administration, institutional cooperation, and capacity building in delivering accessible and effective IP services across the region.
Golden Jubilee Programme
Throughout 2026, ARIPO will convene a series of high-level symposia dedicated to key pillars of the IP ecosystem:
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Brands and Trademarks Symposium (April 2026, Banjul, The Gambia)
Focused on leveraging trademarks to enhance competitiveness and build strong African brands. -
Plant Variety Protection Symposium (June 2026, Arusha, Tanzania)
Exploring the role of plant variety protection in food security, agricultural innovation, and climate resilience. -
Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge Symposium (August 2026, Swakopmund, Namibia)
Examining frameworks for protecting Africa’s heritage while promoting responsible innovation and benefit-sharing. -
Copyright and Related Rights Symposium (September 2026)
Addressing how copyright systems can empower creators and drive sustainable growth in the digital economy.
The anniversary year will culminate on 9 December 2026 in Lusaka, Zambia, at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre — the birthplace of the Lusaka Agreement that established ARIPO. The flagship ARIPO IP Africa Conference is expected to attract over 500 policymakers, experts, innovators, investors, and development partners to reflect on achievements and chart the strategic direction for the next 50 years.
About ARIPO
Established to promote cooperation in intellectual property matters among its Member States, ARIPO pools resources to harmonise IP laws, policies, and services across Africa. Its legal frameworks include the Harare Protocol on Patents and Industrial Designs, the Banjul Protocol on Marks, the Swakopmund Protocol on Traditional Knowledge and Expressions of Folklore, the Arusha Protocol on New Varieties of Plants, and the Kampala Protocol on Voluntary Registration of Copyright and Related Rights.
ARIPO’s Member States include Botswana, Eswatini, Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, São Tomé & Príncipe, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The Golden Jubilee celebrations underscore ARIPO’s enduring commitment to strengthening Africa’s intellectual property landscape and advancing innovation-led, sustainable development across the continent.
