By:
Nana Appiah Acquaye
The
Director-General of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization
(ARIPO), Bemanya Twebaze, has reaffirmed the institution’s partnership with
Mozambique following high-level engagements at the Mozambique State House.
During
the visit, Twebaze met with President Daniel Francisco Chapo to discuss ongoing
cooperation in strengthening intellectual property systems and supporting
innovation-led development across the country. He reiterated ARIPO’s commitment
to working with Mozambique as a key member state advancing regional
collaboration in intellectual property administration.

He
noted that Mozambique’s Renovar Moçambique initiative aligns with national
priorities such as industrialisation, investment promotion, private-sector
growth, reform, stability, and inclusive development.
Twebaze
expressed appreciation to President Chapo for recognising the role of
intellectual property in national development and for acknowledging ARIPO’s
contribution to supporting African countries in leveraging innovation for
economic growth.
He
highlighted intellectual property as a strategic tool for converting knowledge,
creativity, and innovation into economic value, pointing to Mozambique’s
potential in sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, tourism, manufacturing,
energy, and the creative industries.

He
further referenced Mozambique’s achievement as the first ARIPO member state to
register a geographical indication, Cabrito de Tete, in June 2020, describing
it as an example of how local heritage can be transformed into internationally
recognised economic assets through intellectual property protection.
As
part of the visit, Twebaze also engaged with the Instituto da Propriedade
Industrial, expressing gratitude to national officials for their continued
commitment to advancing the intellectual property agenda.
ARIPO
stated its readiness to continue working closely with the Government of
Mozambique to strengthen intellectual property frameworks and support the
country’s broader development objectives.