On 31 January 2025 ARIPO issued a notification of the amendment of the Harare Protocol on Patents, Utility Models and Industrial Designs, forms and fees which came into force on 1 March 2025. Substantial amendments were made to the Harare Protocol along with significant increases to the Official fees for patents and industrial designs. Notable amendments include, patent applications may now proceed with different claim sets for different designated states, the deadline for responding to Search and Substantive Examination reports were reduced from six to four months and the deadline for payment of grant and publication fees increased to 4 months.  Industrial design applicants must now submit a Statement of Novelty within two months of filing. Once formal examination is complete, ARIPO will forward design applications to each designated member states for optional substantive examination within four months.

 

On 12 May 2025, ARIPO announced a formal review of the Administrative Instructions to ensure procedural consistency with the revised Harare Protocol and its Implementing Regulations.

 

Mauritius became the 21st member state of the Harare Protocol after depositing its Instrument of Accession on 27 May 2025. From 27 August 2025, it will be possible to designate Mauritius in ARIPO patent, industrial design, and utility model applications. For International PCT patent applications entering the ARIPO regional phase, it will be possible to designate Mauritius based on PCT applications with an international filing date on or after 27 August 2025.

 

ARIPO was officially integrated into the UPOV PRISMA electronic filing platform, enabling breeders to submit Plant Variety Protection (PVP) applications online under the Arusha Protocol for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants. The Arusha Protocol entered into force on 24 November 2024 and currently has four contracting states: Cape Verde, Ghana, Rwanda, and São Tomé and Príncipe.

 

UPOV PRISMA, developed by the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), provides a centralized and secure digital platform that allows breeders to submit PVP applications to over 36 participating PVP Offices, covering more than 70 countries and territories. 

 

Malawi’s Justice Minister, Honourable Titus Songiso Mvalo, led a delegation to ARIPO headquarters in Harare. High level discussions were held with Director General Bemanya Twebaze to deepen cooperation on intellectual property. Malawi announced the passing of its Companies, Registrations and Intellectual Property Centre Bill into law. Discussions covered ARIPO’s tailored support, planned e-services training, recent awareness seminars, Malawi’s 2024 ratification of WIPO’s genetic resources treaty, and national alignment with the Banjul Protocol for trademarks and regional collaboration initiatives.

 

ARIPO hosted a Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISC) meeting in partnership with WIPO and with support of the Japan Patent Office (JPO). The event gathered stakeholders from ARIPO member states and Observer states to enhance access to technological information, strengthen national TISC networks, promote international collaboration, and leverage innovation to drive sustainable development in Africa.

 

The Ambassadors Engagement brought together representatives from ARIPO member and Potential member states. Director General of ARIPO, Mr. Bemanya Twebaze highlighted ARIPO’s achievements and described ARIPO as a collective IP platform across the 22 member states. Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honourable Professor Dr Amon Murwira, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing ARIPO’s vital role in safeguarding the ingenuity and creative minds of Africa, and urged all 16 diplomatic missions represented at the engagement to advance ARIPO’s mandate.

 

Efforts to facilitate the accession of South Sudan to ARIPO continue to advance, marked by a high-level mission led by ARIPO's Director General, Mr. Bemanya Twebaze, who met with senior South Sudanese government officials, including the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Dr. Wek Mamer Kuol, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Akuei Bona Malwal. The broad benefits that South Sudan would gain by becoming an ARIPO member state and by acceding to the various ARIPO protocols, such as the Harare Protocol on Patents, Industrial Designs, and Utility Models was emphasized. 

 

 

From 1 January 2025, the amendments to Annexes I and II of the Bangui Agreement relating to Patents and Utility Models came into effect, accompanied by a revised fee schedule. Notable amendments include the introduction of substantive examination for patent and utility model applications, to possibility to file of divisional application voluntarily until notification of grant of a patent or utility model or in response to a substantive examination report, and the publication of applications for opposition purposes. The revised fee schedule introduces fees for examination, divisional applications and oppositions along with increases to fees for excess page fees, claims in excess of 10 and annuities. 

 

From 26 May 2025 approximated 3,500 registered OAPI industrial designs was made available on the European Union Intellectual Property Office’s DESIGNview platform.  OAPI joined more than 75 participating offices on the DESIGNview platform with access to over 23 million industrial design records. This enhances global visibility and access to African design data.

 

OAPI officially launched OAPI LEX on 26 June, its first online case law database. The platform offers centralized access to court decisions, including opposition rulings, and precedents across OAPI’s 17 member states.

 

OAPI and the International Trademark Association (INTA) held a workshop in Yaoundé to adapt to changes in the classification system. Opening remarks were delivered by OAPI Deputy Director General Mondésir Oualou Panaouala and INTA’s Director General Europe & OIG, with moderation by Abdourahmane Diallo, Director of Brands and other distinctive signs at OAPI.  Around thirty participants, both in-person and online, discussed the complexities of trademark classification.

 

OAPI participated in the 6th Session of WIPO’s Working Group on the legal development of the Lisbon System, discussing protection of appellations of origin and geographical indications, and updates to the eLisbon digital platform.

 

OAPI officially certified Togo ‘s Kovié rice as a protected geographical indication, recognizing its unique agricultural value and marking the country’s first geographical indication designation, with strong support from local producers and government officials. This recognition not only enhances the visibility and marketability of Kovié rice but also serves as a catalyst for local economic development and the preservation of African agricultural heritage.

 

OAPI and the African Guarantee Fund (AGF) signed a historic 40 billion FCFA (approximately USD 72 million) partnership to support 1000 innovation projects across 17 member states by 2030. The initiative includes a 5 billion FCFA equity investment by OAPI in AGF’s capital and the creation of a guarantee window to facilitate bank loans for innovators, particularly those with patented inventions. It aims to remove financial barriers by offering credit guarantees, technical support, and connections with industrial partners. The first call for projects is expected in Q3 2025, targeting around 200 projects in its initial year.

 

OAPI Director General Denis Bohoussou visited Brazzaville to strengthen ties with Congolese authorities. Key meetings focused on deploying the Mechanism for Financing Invention and Innovation (MEFII), supporting 1,000 innovative project leaders, and securing land for an intellectual property documentation center (CDPI). A workshop trained members of the National Liaison Structure (SNL) of the Congo on new patent procedures. The mission reinforced OAPI’s commitment to African innovation through strengthened cooperation with Congolese authorities

 

The city of Penja, Cameroon, hosted the First International Penja Pepper Festival, uniting producers, traditional leaders, scientists, investors, and enthusiasts. OAPI served as an official sponsor and noted that Penja pepper is the first product in sub-Saharan Africa to obtain geographical indication protection, recognized by both OAPI and the European Union. OAPI also reaffirmed its support for local producers and for geographical indications as tools to preserve cultural heritage and promote economic development.

Guinea’s traditional Leppi Fabric recognized as a protected geographical indication 

Guinea’s traditional Leppi fabric, originating from Foutah Djallon and made by the Fulani people, has gained protected geographical indication recognition by OAPI. The initiative was led by Guinea’s National Office for the Promotion of Crafts.

 

The Guinea Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts (CCIAG) and the Commerce Tribunal of Conakry signed an agreement with OAPI to enhance innovation and investment by protecting intellectual property (IP), increasing capacity for resolving IP disputes, supporting entrepreneurs, fostering start-ups and SMEs, and improving access to technological resources.

 

On 9 January 2025, the Republic of Cameroon deposited its instrument of accession to the WIPO Copyright Treaty. The Treaty officially enters into force for Cameroon on 9 April 2025.

 

At the 50th Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions, Senegal’s delegation claimed 10 awards, including 5 gold, 1 silver, and 4 bronze medals, placing Senegal among the most notable African nations at the exhibition.

 

Togo's National Institute of Industrial Property and Technology (INPIT) unveiled its new logo, which was chosen from 118 competition entries.  

 

The Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA) of Botswana destroyed counterfeit goods valued at P2.7 million (Botswana Pula) and pirated goods worth P395,000 (Botswana Pula), including imitation iPhones, clothing, and DVDs, as part of a decisive campaign against illicit trade. Assistant Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Mr. Baratiwa Mathoothe, stressed the importance of safeguarding local enterprises, fostering innovation, and ensuring fair competition. These counterfeit goods were seized by the CIPA Compliance and Enforcement Unit in collaboration with the Botswana Police Service, the Botswana Unified Revenue Service, Interpol, and Intellectual Property holders between 2016 and 2025 from borders, retail outlets, and informal traders.

 

Cape Verde’s National Assembly approved a proposal granting the Government authorization to create a new Industrial Property Code, replacing the 2007 version. The reform seeks to modernize the country’s legal framework, bringing it in line with international agreements like the Paris Convention, the Madrid Protocol, and ARIPO protocols. It will enhance protection for patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and cultural expressions, while introducing digital processes, measures against unfair competition, and broader access for businesses. This initiative supports the government’s strategy to foster innovation, attract investment, and strengthen Cape Verde’s presence in the global market.

 

The Government of Egypt advanced the implementation of Law No. 163 of 2023, which had established the Egyptian Authority for Intellectual Property (EAIP), by consolidating the functions of the various intellectual property offices, covering patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyrights, and plant variety protection, into a single, unified body. This consolidation was affected through Prime Minister’s Decree No. 492 of 2025, which mandated the transfer of these functions and the relocation of all public-facing intellectual property services to the headquarters of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, located at 101 Kasr El-Ainy Street, Cairo.

Increase in official examination fees for patent applications in Egypt – 10 June 2025

On 10 June 2025, the Egyptian Intellectual Property Authority (EGIPA) issued Ministerial Decision No. 26 of 2025, introducing an increase in the official examination fees of patent applications in Egypt. This decision was published in Official Gazette No. 132 on 17 June 2025 and entered into force on 18 June 2025. In addition to the official fee increase, the deadline for payment of the official examination fee has been shortened to three months from the date of notification.

 

Ethiopian Ministry of Culture and Sport (MOCS), the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority (EIPA), and MultiChoice Africa Holdings B.V. (MAH), a leading entertainment company in Africa, signed a five year Memorandum of Understanding to collaboratively combat piracy and enhance protection of Intellectual property rights. 

 

The Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority (EIPA) announced that it is preparing to sign the Patent Cooperation Treaty. EIPA Director Woldu Mesel said the move will boost innovation, competitiveness, and create a favourable business environment. Preparations include resource mobilization and awareness activities. Selam Yeb, Chief Executive of Innovation Development at the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, noted the treaty will enable startups to submit international patent applications more efficiently.

 

The Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority launched a new e-service platform to modernize operations, improve efficiency, and expand access. Aligned with Ethiopia’s digital strategy, it replaces manual processes, boosts transparency, and will provide exclusive online services nationwide from June 2, 2025.

 

On 15 May 2025, Ethiopia officially deposited its instrument of accession to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property with the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Mr Daren Tang, thereby becoming the 181st State to join the Paris Convention. The accession was approved by Ethiopia’s Council of Ministers on 1 October 2024 and will enter into force on 15 August 2025, when Ethiopia will become a member of the International Union for the Protection of Industrial Property (Paris Union), founded by the Paris Convention. During the ceremony, the Permanent Representative of Ethiopia, Ambassador Tsegab Kebebew Daka, emphasized Ethiopia’s commitment to strengthening its intellectual property framework and deepening collaboration with WIPO.

 

The Industrial Property Office of The Gambia updated its IPAS 4.0 system with a new registration certificate template that includes Madrid System details and a QR code linking to WIPO’s Madrid Flyer Project. The new certificates improve user access to information on international trademark registration.

 

The European Patent Office (EPO) in partnership with the Industrial Property Registration Office of The Gambia, the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) under the Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation in Africa (AfrIPI) project co-organized a week-long workshop on patent drafting.  The workshop was attended by more than 30 participants from 17 African countries.

 

President William Ruto chaired a Cabinet meeting that approved merging 42 state corporations into 20 consolidated agencies. A key change involves combining the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI), the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO), and the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) into a single intellectual property body. This reform, rooted in a 2013 task force recommendation and the 2020 Intellectual Property Bill’s proposal for an “Intellectual Property Office of Kenya” (IPOK), aims to unify functions across trademarks, patents, copyrights, and anti-counterfeiting enforcement to improve efficiency and reduce overlap.

 

Kenya’s Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) agreed to enhance efforts in upholding intellectual property rights and prosecuting counterfeiting crimes. The collaboration will focus on improving coordination between investigators and prosecutors, providing joint training, leveraging research for data-driven enforcement, and increasing public awareness of the dangers of counterfeit goods.

 

Kenya’s Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), in collaboration with Uganda’s Anti-Counterfeit Network (ACN), launched the Bleep App, powered by Cypheme’s advanced AI technology and enhanced with blockchain and big data. The platform enables real-time product authentication and public reporting of suspected counterfeits, aiming to curb illicit trade, strengthen brand protection, and boost regional enforcement efforts across East Africa.

 

The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) hosted a consultative meeting with Chief Executive Officers from key government agencies to review the proposed National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS) for 2023–2027. Attendees included leaders from the Kenya National Innovation Agency, Kenya Industrial Property Institute, and Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services, alongside the lead consultant from the Africa Centre for Trade Studies. Discussions focused on strategic approaches to IP protection, enforcement, innovation, and promotion, tailored to Kenya’s socio-economic context. Participants stressed the importance of collaboration to create a comprehensive, stakeholder-driven framework that safeguards IP rights and fosters creativity and entrepreneurship.

 

Liberia convened its first-ever Intellectual Property Conference on April 23, 2025. Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, Atty. Cornelia Kruah announced initiatives under the ARREST Agenda to empower creators and modernize IP laws, including a study on IP’s role in national development. Key measures include a three-month Copyright Free Registration Program waiving the US$10 fee to encourage creators to protect their works, launch of a Digital IP Registration Platform for remote submissions, and the establishment of a Creators’ Legal Aid Help Desk to provide contract review, rights enforcement, and dispute resolution. Director General of the Liberia Intellectual Property Office, Garmai Koboi, state that the conference was a turning point, marking IP’s integration into the national development strategy. 

 

Under Ministerial Decision No. 2/2025, all trademark applications submitted between 2 April and 2 September 2024, a period when the Trademark Office was closed, have been revoked. Any acceptance notices issued during this period have been withdrawn, and appeals for applications refused on the basis of being identical or confusingly similar to marks filed during the closure period was accepted.

 

Libya has implemented significant changes to trademark renewal costs for foreign applicants under Resolution No. 586 of 2024. Effective for renewals due after 1 January 2025, the official fee is set at USD 2,000 per annum, payable either as a lump sum of USD 20,000 for the full ten-year term or in annual instalments.  A six-month grace period applies for the first payment, and where instalments are chosen, subsequent payments must be paid annually on the anniversary of the renewal date.

 

The Libyan Ministry of Economy temporarily suspended the filing of new trademark applications from 5 March 2025 to 10 April 2025. This measure was intended to address a backlog of pending applications. During the suspension period, the processing of renewals, oppositions, and appeals continued.

 

Circular No. 2 of 2025 specifies that in Libya, a trademark may only be re-registered after the Trademark Office has issued a formal cancellation decision and published it in the Official Gazette. From the date of this publication, owners have up to three years to apply for re-registration. This rule is intended to prevent trademark owners from circumventing increased renewal fees by re-registration of trademarks.

 

Malawi’s Parliament passed the Companies, Registration and Intellectual Property Centre Bill, 2025, which establishes a semi-autonomous Intellectual Properties Centre mandated to register and regulate companies, businesses, and trusts, as well as to administer and oversee the country’s intellectual property rights frameworks. Parliament also passed the Copyright (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which formally designates the office of the Registrar General as the Registrar of Copyright and assigns the Copyright Society of Malawi responsibility for the collective administration of rights on behalf of copyright holders.

 

During the 5th National Forum on Social and Solidarity Economy at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Benguerir, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Secretariat of State for Crafts and Social and Solidarity Economy, the Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property (OMPIC), and the Maison de l’Artisan signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen intellectual property (IP) protection for artisans. The initiative focuses on two pillars: financial support covering half the cost of filing applications for registering trademarks, and industrial designs nationally and internationally, and technical assistance through training and awareness programs. 

 

The Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) published the Draft Copyright and Related Rights Protection Bill 2024 on 3 February 2025 and subsequent held a conference to engaged with stakeholders. The Bill’s amendments aim to ensure the legislation addresses Namibia’s contemporary needs and aligns with global best-practice standards on copyright and related rights. It also proposes a Copyright Levy System, with the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) collecting levies on certain devices to fund creative industries and compensate rights holders.

 

The Collective Management Regulations, 2025, issued by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) under the Copyright Act, 2022, replace the 2007 rules for Collective Management Organizations (CMOs). CMOs may operate only with NCC approval and must monitor rights, license works, collect and distribute royalties, and assist enforcement. Rights owners must give written consent for each right and specify the works a CMO will manage. Membership is limited to relevant rights holders, who may appoint proxies and vote, but cannot use more than one CMO for the same rights in the same territory. The Regulations strengthen transparency and accountability, requiring separate royalty accounts, regular reporting, fair and prompt payments, and clear dispute resolution procedures. Tariffs must reflect the value and use of works, be NCC-approved, and be refundable if CMO fault prevents use. Unclaimed royalties must be kept for seven years. The NCC can audit, investigate, and sanction CMOs to safeguard rights holders’ interests.

 

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, disclosed that the Federal Government is working towards restructuring the trademark registry during the third edition of the Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja, noting collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Arts and Digital Economy. The motivation for the restructuring is to establish an Intellectual Property Policy that serves the whole economy and supports economic growth.

WIPO Project 1% expands IP education in Nigeria – 19 March 2025

Project 1% is a joint initiative by the WIPO Academy and WIPO Nigeria Office aimed at providing intellectual property (IP) education to 1% of Nigeria’s youth, totalling over two million people, by 2030. The program offers an IP course linking IP to creativity and innovation in Africa. So far, 1,415 Nigerians have completed the training, which consists of 13 expert-led modules covering topics such as copyright, trademarks, patents, plant variety protection, traditional knowledge, and IP’s role in development.

 

Nigeria has officially become the 80th member of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), with its accession to the 1991 Act of the International Convention taking effect on 27 March 2025. The instrument of accession was signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigerian Plant Variety Protection Office Acting Registrar, Mr. Folarin Sunday Okelola emphasized that the initiative is vital for meeting growing food demands, especially as Africa’s population rapidly expands. UPOV leaders also highlighted that Nigeria’s membership will encourage investment in plant breeding, broaden access to improved crop varieties, and drive agricultural and economic development.

 

 

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), in collaboration with the Government of Seychelles and the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), held a stakeholder workshop to advance efforts to secure Geographical Indication (GI) status for Seychelles’ honey. The event unveiled a comprehensive Prospective Study showcasing the honey’s unique characteristics, shaped by the country’s rich biodiversity and long-standing beekeeping heritage. The workshop marked an important step toward establishing what could be Seychelles’ first GI.

 

South Africa’s Plant Breeders’ Rights Act No. 12 of 2018 came into operation on 1 June 2025 and, following the publication of Regulations on 13 June 2025, is now fully in force. It replaces the long-standing 1976 legislation, aligns with the 1991 Act of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) Convention, and applies to all plant species. Key changes include extended protection terms—30 years for fruit trees, vines, sugar cane and potatoes, and 25 years for other crops—and the removal of “farmer’s privilege” for Medium Scale Commercial, Large Scale Commercial and Mega/Corporate Farmers. Infringement is now a criminal offence, carrying penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment. Provisional protection is automatic, and the Act clarifies definitions, expands protection to products from harvested material, and sets new royalty, licensing and annual fee requirements.

 

WIPO Director General Daren Tang met with top government officials, diplomats, and WIPO project beneficiaries during a three-day visit to emphasize the role of intellectual property (IP) in driving development, job creation, and investment. Discussions centred on key initiatives, including the IP for Women Artisans in the Handicraft Sector project, a year-long effort to enhance the brand identity of Mouchtia traditional textiles with women artisans, advancing plans for a national IP strategy, and promoting copyright awareness through the WIPO CLIP platform. Other projects highlighted were the Registration of Collective Marks for Local Enterprises, the IP and Youth project under TANIT, potential cooperation on an IP and Sports initiative, and the use of WIPO’s Toolkit on Preservation for Cultural Heritage Institutions. Mr. Tang also addressed the importance of strengthening Tunisia’s IP ecosystem, supporting SMEs, fostering research commercialization, and expanding IP training through the National IP Academy.

 

The Ministry of ICT and National Guidance (MoICT&NG) launched the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property Guidelines, developed collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and key industry stakeholders, including the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB). These guidelines establish a structured approach for protecting, registering, and commercializing software and hardware creations, as well as for managing intellectual property rights related to locally developed information technology systems, applications, and other innovations within the ICT sector.

 

Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) integrated its trade mark data on the TMview search tool of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). Approximately, 79,000 trademarks were added by the URSB, expanding the coverage of the EUIPO’s TMview database to more than 129 million trademarks from 79 different intellectual property offices worldwide.

 

The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) hosted a two-day workshop on the collective management of digital rights in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organisation and the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO). The event brought together Collective Management Organisations, digital platforms, IP practitioners, and industry stakeholders to strengthen skills, foster collaboration, and address challenges in protecting creators’ rights in the digital era. 

 

The Uganda’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Norbert Mao, officially introduced the Directorate, appointing its new Director Miriam Nabatanzi. Expanding the Directorate from a small three-member unit to a 23-person team. The Directorate aims to strengthen protection and awareness of copyright for creators such as musicians, filmmakers, writers, and sculptors, marking a major step in supporting Uganda’s creative sector.

 

Zambia’s Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) with expertise and technical assistance from EUIPO, launched a new online intellectual property filing system. This platform enables streamlined, digital trademark applications, improving efficiency and accessibility for businesses and innovators. From 1 July 2025 new trademark applications will be filed through the online e-Filing system.

 

Zanzibar’s Business and Property Registration Agency (BPRA) officially joined the European Union Intellectual Property Office’s (EUIPO) TMclass search and classification tool, adopting the harmonized database of goods and services (HDB). BPRA became the 37th non EU IP office to integrate HDB terms, contributing to a global database covering 97 participating jurisdictions. 

 

At the WIPO World Symposium on Geographical Indications in Victoria Falls, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi announced that Zimbabwe is working to join the Lisbon Agreement, which protects geographical indications, and the Hague Agreement, which facilitates the international registration of industrial designs. These steps are part of a broader reforms to Zimbabwe’s intellectual property system, which includes legislative updates and modernisation of Zimbabwe’s Intellectual Property Office.