During the 68th Series of Meetings of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Assemblies, held in Geneva from July 7–15, 2026, Ethiopia underscored its dedication to aligning with international intellectual property (IP) benchmarks.
Woldu Yemessel Baraki, Director General of the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority (EIPA), led the national delegation. He highlighted that Ethiopia is actively undergoing significant legislative and economic overhauls aimed at stimulating innovation and long-term growth. Key priorities for the nation include updating its domestic IP infrastructure, moving forward with the ratification of global IP agreements, and executing the Intellectual Property Protocol under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Ethiopian administration considers a robust IP regime essential for its economic strategy. The EIPA noted that these policy shifts are designed to bolster foreign investment, drive industrial expansion, and safeguard the country’s traditional knowledge and cultural assets. Furthermore, these upgrades are a critical component of Ethiopia’s roadmap toward achieving World Trade Organization membership.
Throughout the event, the Ethiopian representatives met with counterparts from other BRICS nations to explore deeper collaboration on IP issues. This dialogue is set to continue at a summit for BRICS IP office heads, which will take place in India this September.
The EIPA leadership also voiced its continued support for WIPO Director General Daren Tang, acknowledging his collaborative efforts with Ethiopia and his state visit to the country in 2025.
