ARIPO Expands Its IP Focus: Agriculture, Innovation and Digitalisation

The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) is increasingly connecting IP protection with agricultural innovation, technology transfer and digital service delivery.

One important area is plant variety protection (PVP). In June 2026, ARIPO and the Government of Lesotho held a symposium on the protection of new plant varieties, focusing on the role of PVP in agricultural innovation, food security and sustainable agriculture. ARIPO also engaged the African seed industry at the 26th African Seed Trade Association Congress in March 2026, where it highlighted the role of the Arusha Protocol in protecting breeders’ rights and encouraging investment in plant breeding.

The Arusha Protocol for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants entered into force on 24 November 2024. It enables ARIPO to grant and administer breeders’ rights on behalf of its Contracting States. At present, ARIPO identifies Cabo Verde, Ghana, Rwanda and São Tomé and Príncipe as the Contracting States that have deposited instruments of ratification or accession.

This provides a regional mechanism for breeders seeking protection for new plant varieties and is particularly relevant to Africa’s agricultural sector, where investment in improved, disease-resistant, higher-yielding and climate-resilient varieties is increasingly important.

ARIPO’s work is also moving into digital IP administration. In June 2026, the organisation held a workshop on Digital Intellectual Property Services in Sierra Leone. This forms part of ARIPO’s broader efforts to improve the accessibility and efficiency of IP services through digital tools.

Why does this matter?

Agricultural innovation illustrates why IP protection in Africa cannot be viewed solely through the traditional lens of trademarks and patents.

A new crop variety may involve plant breeders’ rights, technology, know-how, branding and commercial agreements at different stages of its development and distribution. Effective IP protection can therefore support investment in research and development while helping innovators and businesses commercialise agricultural technologies.

The digitalisation of IP services is similarly important. As businesses increasingly operate across borders, accessible digital filing and administrative systems can reduce some of the practical barriers associated with obtaining and managing regional IP rights.

Practical implication

Businesses in the agriculture, biotechnology, seed, food, technology and research sectors should consider IP protection as part of product development from the outset.

For example, an agricultural business developing a new variety may need to consider plant breeders’ rights alongside trademarks, patents, trade secrets, licensing and commercialisation arrangements. Similarly, technology businesses expanding across ARIPO markets should monitor developments in regional filing and digital IP systems.

ARIPO’s recent activities therefore point to a broader development in African IP policy: IP is increasingly being integrated into wider strategies for agricultural productivity, technological innovation, food security and economic development.