The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), in collaboration with the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), organized the 4th ARIPO Heads of Intellectual Property Offices Conference (HIPOC) in Freetown, Sierra Leone, from May 27 to 29, 2025, with support from Funds-In-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global (FIT/Japan IP Global).
WIPO’s Supporting Role in Strategic IP Dialogue
ARIPO-HIPOC is a strategic forum designed to bring together heads of IP offices across Africa, enabling direct engagement on strategic IP policies, regional cooperation, and capacity building. The conference provides an opportunity for WIPO to contribute its expertise and support the development of shared strategic approaches in line with the priorities of ARIPO member states.
ARIPO-HIPOC facilitates broader, global-level IP dialogue—particularly on capacity building and harmonization. Through its collaborative engagement, WIPO remains a constructive partner in strengthening the international IP ecosystem.
4th HIPOC-ARIPO: Transformative Leadership and Inclusive Innovation
Themed "Empowering Tomorrow’s Innovators: Transformative Leadership in IP," the 4th edition brought together heads and senior delegates from ARIPO Member States, including Sierra Leone, Liberia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania (mainland and Zanzibar), Uganda, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Rwanda, Mauritius, Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia, Zambia, and Malawi.
At the opening ceremony, remarks were delivered by Hon. Minister of Trade of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Mr. Ibrahim Alpha Sesay; Hon. Minister of Innovation, Ms. Salima Bah; Ms. Martina Baindu Egbanda, Administrator & Registrar General of Sierra Leone; Mr. Bemanya Twebaze, Director General of ARIPO; Hon. Ms. Saptieu Saccoh, Deputy Minister of Justice; Hon. Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Alpha Sesay; Mr. Kunihiko Fushimi, Director of the International Classification and Standards Division, FIT/Japan IP Global’s Fund Manager at WIPO; and Mr. Emmanuel Rugomboka, Counsellor in the Division for Africa at WIPO.
This three-days conference featured discussions on the future of IP in Africa, the visibility of IP in national development strategies, and collaborative experiences shared by countries such as Liberia, Uganda, and Malawi, as well as importance of diverse leadership styles and leveraging differences to boost collaboration in IP management.
Participants praised the high quality of presentations and practical exercises. Moving forward, there is a strong commitment to developing follow-up initiatives that support heads of IP offices in meeting their respective mandates.
During the conference, member states also pledged to strengthen regional IP frameworks, enhance digital infrastructure, and prioritize the empowerment of youth and women in the innovation ecosystem.