The 6th Annual ARIPO Symposium on Copyright and Related Rights has commenced under the theme “Securing Creativity: Evolving Strategies in Copyright and Related Rights.” Hosted in the vibrant city of Harare, the three-day event brings together a diverse range of experts, stakeholders, policymakers, and creatives to address the evolving landscape of copyright and related rights across the African continent.
In his opening remarks, the Director General of ARIPO warmly welcomed delegates from across the region and beyond, commending participants for reaffirming the vital role each Member State plays in strengthening Africa’s copyright ecosystem.
“Each of you plays a unique and vital role within the copyright ecosystem, and it is this diversity that strengthens our collaboration,” he said. “Together, we can craft solutions that are inclusive, sustainable, and impactful.”
The Symposium theme, “Securing Creativity,” reflects ARIPO’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of creators in a rapidly evolving digital and technological environment. With artificial intelligence, digital piracy, and fragmented legal systems challenging traditional norms, the Symposium offers a strategic platform to collectively address these disruptions.
ARIPO continues to champion the transformative power of Africa’s creative economy. According to the United Nations, creative industries contribute 3.1% to global GDP and 6.2% to global employment, generating over $2 trillion annually and employing nearly 50 million people—half of them women. Africa alone is projected to contribute up to 10% of global creative goods exports by 2030, valued at $200 billion, with the potential to generate over 20 million new jobs.
To support this trajectory, ARIPO, in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), is capacitating statisticians, economists, and copyright experts across its Member States to conduct national studies on the economic contribution of creative industries. This data-driven approach will shape more targeted policies, foster investment, and unlock new opportunities for creators.
On 30 August 2024, the Republic of Namibia became the first country to ratify the Kampala Protocol on Voluntary Registration of Copyright and Related Rights.
The Protocol aims to streamline copyright registration across the region, enhancing legal certainty and creators' access to protection. ARIPO also reported steady progress in developing the e-Copyright system, an electronic platform that will create a regional database of creative works and support national offices in implementing the Protocol. With support from the Indonesian Directorate General of Intellectual Property, the system promises to simplify the registration process while upholding the rights of authors and creators.
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The Protocol will enter into force three months after four additional States deposit their instruments of ratification. We encourage all Member States to move quickly,” the Director General urged.
As the Symposium unfolds, ARIPO calls upon all participants to become ambassadors for the Kampala Protocol, advocating for its domestication and implementation across the continent. The gathering is not only a platform for dialogue but also a catalyst for transformative action.
“Let us reaffirm our commitment to securing creativity—not just for today’s creators, but for generations to come,” concluded the Director General.
The next ARIPO Copyright and Related Rights Symposium is scheduled for 2026. Participants will reconvene to celebrate milestones achieved and continue building the future of copyright and intellectual property in Africa.