The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization ARIPO, participated in the 2023 edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), which ran from 25th to 29th of April.
In an effort to continue raising awareness of the importance of intellectual property (IP) and IP rights in Africa, ARIPO’s ZITF exhibition booth focused on disseminating the key and basic IP information that the general public requires to make informed decisions concerning their IP.
Director General Bemanya Twebaze who was present for the duration of the ZITF week, took the time to interact with visitors at the ARIPO exhibition booth before touring many of the exhibition stands of key stakeholders which included ARIPO Member State Embassies, tertiary education institutions and government institutions under the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.
DG Bemanya at the Companies & Intellectual Property Office of Zimbabwe exhibition stand
DG Bemanya visited the Kenya, Malawi and Tanzania Embassies’ exhibitions as part of his tour, where various Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) were showing off their wares and crafts. He appreciated the IP elements of these exhibitions which could be categorized mostly as geographical indications and traditional knowledge.
During the exhibition, some high-level stakeholders toured the ARIPO stand including Zimbabwe’s Minister of Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi, the Ambassador of Kenya, Her Excellency Stella Munyi and the Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation in Africa (AfrIPI) Team Leader, Ms. Aida Galindo. They were all welcomed graciously by the Director General.
Director General Bemanya Twebaze conversing with Hon. Ziyambi Ziyambi
DG Bemanya and members of the ARIPO team attended the official opening ceremony which was officiated by King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Eswatini, another major highlight of the annual Trade Fair.