By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr.
The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) has underscored the critical role of intellectual property (IP) in transforming Africa’s sports sector into a powerful driver of economic growth, innovation, and global competitiveness.
In a message marking World Intellectual Property Day, ARIPO Director General Bemanya Twebaze emphasized that sport across Africa is rapidly evolving beyond recreation and national pride into a thriving economic ecosystem.
“Sport is no longer only played on the field; it is shaped in the marketplace,” Twebaze noted, highlighting that the real value of sport now lies in ideas, branding, technology, and digital content.
This year’s global theme, “IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate,” aligns with ARIPO’s upcoming 50th anniversary theme, which focuses on fostering innovation, creativity, and sustainable development across Africa.
According to ARIPO DG, Twebaze, while Africa is rich in sporting talent, the continent must do more to convert that talent into sustainable economic value. Intellectual property systems, covering patents, trademarks, copyrights, and related rights, provide the legal and commercial framework to protect innovations, strengthen brands, and attract investment.
From athlete branding and merchandise to sports technology and media rights, IP is increasingly central to the business of sport.
However, the DG noted that many African countries still face gaps in effectively protecting and commercializing these assets.“Talent may win medals, but ideas build industries,” the statement indicated.
He has maintain that over the past five decades, ARIPO has worked with its 22 member states to harmonize IP systems and make it easier for innovators and businesses to secure rights across multiple markets through frameworks such as the Harare and Banjul Protocols.
The organization believes these mechanisms can play a vital role in supporting the growth of Africa’s sports economy by enabling licensing, commercialization, and cross-border investment.
IARIPO also highlighted the growing role of women in Africa’s sports industry, not only as athletes but as entrepreneurs, innovators, and brand creators.
It has further called for inclusive IP systems that ensure equal opportunities to protect and benefit from their creations.Encouragingly, a new generation of African athletes and sports entrepreneurs is becoming more aware of the importance of intellectual property, recognizing that their names, images, and innovations are valuable assets.
As ARIPO prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in December 2026, the DG has disclosed that ARIPO is shifting focus toward the future of Africa’s innovation-driven economy.
Stating that the next phase of growth in African sport will depend not just on athletic performance, but on how effectively the continent protects and commercializes the ideas behind the game.
“The future of African sport will belong not only to those who compete, but to those who own, protect, and grow the ideas behind the game,” DG, Twebaze added.
