WIPO Director General Daren Tang visited Addis Ababa from June 3-4, 2025, where he met with top Government officials, including Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed , as well as representatives from academia, startups and the creative sector to discuss how intellectual property (IP) can be a vertical driver of jobs, growth and investments, supporting the country’s national development goals.
The Director General also visited the headquarters of the African Union (AU) Commission and met Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf to explore opportunities for regional collaboration on IP and economic development.
The two-day visit to East Africa's fasting growing economy and seat of the AU featured a series of high-level engagements aimed at bolstering Africa’s innovation ecosystem and strengthening international partnerships.
Highlights of key engagements:
- Met Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to reaffirm a shared commitment to deepening collaboration in IP and fostering national development goals with a focus on empowering the next generation.
- Discussed with State Minister of Foreign Affairs Hadera Abera how to foster strategic alignment on IP policies and international cooperation.
- Met with Minister of Innovation and Technology Belete Molla Getahun for discussions on how to cultivate innovation, support creative industries and harness technology for economic transformation.
- Reaffirmed support to the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority for ongoing collaboration.
- Engaged with Chairperson of the AU Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf on opportunities for regional collaboration on IP and economic development, leveraging strategic initiatives that empower youth and women.
- Interacted with university officials, researchers, scientists and students at the Addis Ababa University to promote a culture of innovation and research within the academic community.
- Engaged with a cross section of the creative industries, consulted on monetizing creativity and celebrating Ethiopia's vibrant cultural heritage through fire side chats on collective management organizations, musical artists and enforcement issues.
- Delivered a keynote address at the Regional Symposium on Geographical Indications, co-hosted by WIPO and the Government of Ethiopia, emphasizing the role of geographic indications in protecting Ethiopia’s unique products and traditional knowledge.