By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Ethiopia has reaffirmed the
strategic role of intellectual property (IP) in driving innovation, industrial
development and sustainable economic transformation during the 68th Series of
Meetings of the Assemblies of the World Intellectual Property Organization
(WIPO) held in Geneva, Switzerland.
Representing Ethiopia at the
high-level meeting, Director General of the Ethiopian Intellectual Property
Authority (EIPA), H.E. Woldu Yemessel Baraki, highlighted the country’s ongoing
reforms aimed at strengthening its intellectual property framework and
supporting creativity, innovation and investment.
Woldu emphasized Ethiopia’s
commitment to advancing a modern and effective IP system that supports economic
growth while protecting innovation, traditional knowledge and cultural
heritage.
During his address, he
congratulated WIPO Director General on his re-election for a second term and
commended his leadership and continued support for Ethiopia’s intellectual
property development efforts. He also acknowledged the WIPO Director General’s
visit to Ethiopia in the previous year as a reflection of strengthened
cooperation between the country and the global intellectual property body.
Ethiopia highlighted
progress in modernising its intellectual property laws, advancing accession to
key international IP treaties and supporting the implementation of the African
Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Intellectual Property Protocol.
The country also reiterated
its efforts towards joining the World Trade Organization (WTO), noting that a
strong intellectual property regime is essential for attracting investment,
promoting industrialisation and strengthening participation in the global
economy.
Ethiopia said intellectual
property should be viewed not only as a legal framework but also as a strategic
tool for economic transformation, enabling countries to protect locally
developed innovations while creating opportunities for businesses, researchers
and creators.
On the sidelines of the WIPO
Assemblies, Ethiopia also participated in a meeting of Heads of Intellectual
Property Offices (HIPO) from BRICS countries, where representatives discussed
recent developments in intellectual property and agreed on the agenda for the
next HIPO meeting scheduled to take place in India from September 1 to 3, 2026.
