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As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen
regional cooperation in Intellectual Property (IP) and deepen engagement with
its Member States, the Director General of the African Regional Intellectual
Property Organization (ARIPO) undertook a High-Level Mission to Mozambique,
during which he paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Daniel Francisco Chapo,
President of the Republic of Mozambique, on 15 May 2026. Their discussions centred on the
growing importance of Intellectual Property in driving industrialisation,
innovation, trade competitiveness, and sustainable economic transformation
across the continent.
The meeting comes at a time when African
economies are increasingly prioritising value addition, innovation-led growth,
and the protection of local knowledge and creativity within regional and global
markets. In this context, the ARIPO DG highlighted the critical role of modern
and responsive IP systems in supporting entrepreneurship, attracting
investment, promoting technology transfer, and enhancing the competitiveness of
African products and services.
President Chapo reaffirmed Mozambique’s
support for ARIPO and emphasized the significance of Intellectual Property in
the country’s broader development agenda. He noted the important contribution
IP can make toward stimulating economic growth, strengthening local industries,
and creating opportunities for innovators and entrepreneurs.
Mozambique continues to demonstrate
significant potential across strategic sectors including agriculture,
fisheries, tourism, manufacturing, energy, culture, and the creative
industries. ARIPO emphasized that strengthening the national IP ecosystem will be
instrumental in enabling innovators, creators, researchers, and small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to transform ideas and traditional knowledge
into commercially valuable assets.
The mission also highlighted the growing
relevance of Geographical Indications (GIs) in preserving heritage, promoting
rural development, and creating internationally recognised brands rooted in
authenticity and quality. Mozambique’s Cabrito de Tete was cited as a
compelling example of how distinctive local products can benefit from IP
protection to enhance market visibility, create economic value for communities,
and strengthen national identity.
As part of the mission, the ARIPO Director
General also held engagements with the Instituto da Propriedade Industrial de
Moçambique, further reinforcing institutional collaboration aimed at
strengthening IP administration and awareness in Mozambique.
ARIPO expressed its appreciation to Honourable
Basílio Zefanias Muhate, Minister of Economy of Mozambique, and Ms. Sheila
Canda, Director General of IPI Mozambique, for their continued commitment to
advancing the Intellectual Property agenda and supporting regional cooperation
in innovation and economic development.
The mission reflects ARIPO’s broader efforts
to build a more integrated and innovation-driven Africa through effective
Intellectual Property systems that support industrialisation, intra-African
trade, creativity, and inclusive growth. Through continued collaboration with
Member States such as Mozambique, ARIPO remains committed to ensuring that
Intellectual Property serves as a powerful enabler of economic transformation
and regional prosperity.