The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania has intensified efforts to strengthen the intellectual property (IP) system as part of a broader strategy to unlock the economic potential of the sports sector through innovation, branding, and creative rights protection.
The Minister for Industry and Trade, Judith Kapinga, said the government is committed to improving the intellectual property framework to ensure that different sectors of the economy, including sports, generate more value through innovation and creativity.
She made the remarks during the commemoration of World Intellectual Property Day and the Intellectual Property Awards ceremony held to recognize innovators and institutions contributing to the development of intellectual property in the country.
The Minister noted that under the Sixth-Phase Government led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tanzania continues to strengthen the business environment by promoting innovation, investment, and protection of creative works.
She said proper use of intellectual property rights can transform the sports industry into a major source of employment, business opportunities, and national revenue through trademarks, copyrights, branding, and sports-related merchandise.
“Sports should not only be seen as entertainment. It is also a business with vast opportunities that can benefit athletes, clubs, and other stakeholders if intellectual property rights are well protected and utilized,” she said.
The Minister emphasized that many opportunities in sports remain underutilized due to limited awareness of intellectual property tools among athletes and sports organizations.
She urged stakeholders in the sports sector to register their trademarks, protect their names, logos, and identities, and develop long-term commercial value from their careers, even after retirement.
She further noted that the government is currently reviewing and improving laws governing patents, trademarks, copyrights, and related rights to simplify registration procedures and encourage more innovators to formalize their work.
“We want a system that is simple, fast, and friendly to innovators. Bureaucracy should not be a barrier to creativity and business growth,” she added.
The Minister commended the Business Registrations and Licensing Agency, BRELA, for organizing the event and raising awareness on the importance of protecting intellectual property in Tanzania.
She also appreciated BRELA staff and management for their continuous efforts in educating the public on business registration and intellectual property protection.
On the part of creative rights protection, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Copyright Society of Tanzania, COSOTA, Naomi Mungure, said the institution is working closely with BRELA to ensure that creative works in sports, music, and entertainment are fully protected under the law.
She said COSOTA is strengthening public awareness campaigns, especially as Tanzania prepares for major international sporting events, to ensure compliance with copyright laws, broadcasting rights, and digital content usage.
According to her, unauthorized use of sports footage, music, and digital content remains a challenge due to limited awareness, and the institution is focusing on education to address the problem.
She stressed that protecting intellectual property ensures that creators and rights holders receive fair compensation for their work.
The Acting CEO also highlighted the importance of protecting broadcasting and media rights during major tournaments to avoid revenue losses and misuse of content.
BRELA Director General, Godfrey Nyaisa, said intellectual property is a key tool in promoting Tanzania’s competitiveness at regional and international levels by increasing the value of local products and services.
He said athletes and sports professionals should understand the importance of building personal brands that can generate income even after their active sporting careers end.
He gave examples of international sports icons such as Michael Jordan and Cristiano Ronaldo, who continue to earn significant income through trademarks, endorsements, and brand partnerships.
“These examples show that sports success goes beyond the field of play. It is also about building a strong personal brand that has long-term commercial value,” he said.
Nyaisa added that BRELA will continue to provide education to sports stakeholders, entrepreneurs, and innovators on how to register and protect their intellectual property rights effectively.
He also called for stronger collaboration between government institutions, sports associations, and the private sector to build a strong culture of intellectual property in Tanzania.
Stakeholders attending the event agreed that increasing awareness at grassroots level, especially among young athletes and sports clubs, is critical in ensuring that they understand the importance of branding, licensing, and legal protection.
They also called for stronger enforcement mechanisms to combat piracy and unauthorized use of creative content, particularly in the digital space.
The government reiterated its commitment to continuing reforms aimed at promoting innovation-driven growth and ensuring that sports and creative industries contribute more significantly to national development and the economy.
