WIPO Director General Daren Tang visited Zimbabwe from December 1-2, 2025, and met with President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, senior government officials, local entrepreneurs and students to underscore WIPO’s commitment to support the country in harnessing intellectual property (IP) for its growth and development.
Discussions with President Mnangagwa focused on leveraging IP to implement the new National Development Strategy (2026-2030), developing innovation hubs, promoting local products and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), creators and entrepreneurs.
Harare engagements
- Discussed with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Amon Murwira how WIPO can support Zimbabwe in equipping its diplomats and trade negotiators with comprehensive IP knowledge.
- Engaged with the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Fredrick Shava about the importance of IP commercialization and strengthening the links between research institutions and industry to ensure innovation has real-world impact.
- Discussed with Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Anxious Jongwe Masuka how geographical indications (GIs) and other IP rights can help promote local products like Chipinge coffee and Tapanga tea and support the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and rural communities.
- Met with Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Monica Mutsvangwa and discussed the need for increased IP awareness and capacity building to ensure that IP becomes a powerful enabler of business growth for SMEs, women and youth.
- Discussed IP enforcement with Minister of Industry and Commerce Nqobizitha M. Ndhlovu and the importance of raising IP awareness and knowledge to fight piracy and counterfeiting.
- Visited the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and met with Director General Bemanya Twebaze. At ARIPO, Mr. Tang also engaged with the 18th cohort of the Master’s Degree in Intellectual Property jointly offered by WIPO, ARIPO and the African University in Mutare.
- Spoke at the closing ceremony of a WIPO Coaching and Mentoring Project for local entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe, which provided intensive support to 50 SMEs over six months. The Director General emphasized the need to bring IP directly to communities so that it is relatable, visible and part of the everyday journeys of innovators, creators and entrepreneurs.