This is the right time for African countries to develop suitable policies and strategies that will kindle innovation among African countries.
Minister of Justice and Constitution Affairs Honourable Bright Msaka Sc told Council of Ministers for The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) when he officially opened the 17th Session of the ARIPO Council of Ministers Meeting, taking place in Margibi County, in the Republic of Liberia.
Msaka clarified the need for Africa to be creative in making the intellectual property system to be relevant to enhancing its competitive advantage, so that intellectual property can be an effective tool for the achievement of economic growth and sustainable development Africa continent.
“Africa is not lacking in resourcefulness among its people. Africa is full up with talent. We have very smart and intelligent people who are capable of innovating”, said Malawi’s Justice Minister.
The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) is an inter-governmental organization (IGO) that facilitates cooperation among member states in intellectual property matters, with the objective of pooling financial and human resources, and seeking technological advancement for economic, social, technological, scientific and industrial development was established in 1976 with the vision to be Africa’s leading intellectual property hub.
Msaka advised the council of Ministers to take advantage and benefit from the youths across Africa who are restless in their zeal for innovation and entrepreneurship.
He further said that there is a need to reach out to the potential innovators: universities, researchers, the youth, the SMEs and so on, there is a need also to come up with strategies for building the innovative capacity of these potential innovators.
During the two years that Malawi has held the chairmanship, ARIPO has registered a number of achievements relating to registration of intellectual property rights, awareness creation, capacity building, information and communication technology, and international cooperation.
