By Our Special Correspondent - Geneva
Tanzania is leveraging the global stage at the 66th General Assembly of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva to advocate for a more inclusive and development-oriented intellectual property (IP) agenda, particularly for youth, women, and persons with disabilities.
Led by Mr. Godfrey Nyaisa, Chief Executive Officer of the Business Registrations and Licensing Agency (BRELA), the Tanzanian delegation is engaging with WIPO officials and global partners in high-level discussions focused on expanding access to IP education and services for underrepresented groups.
The delegation also includes Ambassador Dr. Abdallah S. Possi, Tanzania’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, along with senior officials from the Fair Competition Commission and BRELA’s IP division.
As developing countries seek to unlock the potential of intellectual property in driving innovation, Tanzania is positioning itself as a key advocate for grassroots inclusion in the global IP framework.
One of the central goals of Tanzania’s participation is to secure technical assistance and collaborative programs from WIPO that will build IP literacy among entrepreneurs and creative sectors across the country. These initiatives are intended to demystify intellectual property rights and encourage a culture of innovation that aligns with national development strategies.
The Assembly, which began on 8 July and runs until 17 July 2025, brings together WIPO’s 193 member states to debate critical issues shaping the future of global intellectual property governance. Among the key decisions on the agenda is the approval of the agency’s 2026/27 Program and Budget.
Tanzania’s focus on inclusive access to IP mirrors a growing call among Global South nations for a reimagined IP system, one that supports sustainable development, fosters indigenous knowledge protection, and reduces barriers for emerging innovators.
However, critics argue that the current system often favors developed economies and multinational corporations, leaving little room for local creators in the Global South to benefit from their innovations.
For Tanzania, the Geneva summit is more than a diplomatic obligation, it is a platform to reshape the narrative around intellectual property and champion a model where IP serves as a catalyst for equity, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth.