The Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority (EIPA) has been instructed to prepare for emerging legal complexities surrounding digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), while strengthening the legal safeguards governing intellectual property and encouraging responsible technology adoption across local industries.
The mandate, issued by Frehiwot Tamru, minister of innovation and technology, during an operational review at the authority's headquarters, signals a strategic shift from primarily registering intellectual property rights to actively commercialising local inventions and creative works.
To support this approach, Tamru emphasised that intellectual property (IP) must serve as an economic catalyst, driving research into viable products and services while supporting the country's broader digital transformation and industrial development goals, according to the ministry.
In line with its digital economy strategy, the ministry directed EIPA to fully digitise its registration operations. The overhaul will allow inventors and business owners to submit, process and track patent, trademark and copyright applications online.
A central element of the directive involves closing the gap between academic research, technology founders and commercial markets.
The minister called for stronger collaboration between local universities, research centres, financial institutions and manufacturers to ensure that local innovation addresses practical national challenges, improves economic productivity and creates employment opportunities.
To support this ecosystem, the authority was instructed to review existing legal and policy frameworks to identify regulatory bottlenecks that hinder technology transfer and access to enterprise funding.
This includes developing updated valuation models and risk management policies that would allow local start-ups and inventors to use IP as recognised collateral when applying for commercial loans.
To ensure accountability, the authority's performance evaluation will move away from relying solely on registration figures. Future success metrics will measure tangible economic outcomes, including the number of innovations successfully brought to market, licensing agreements concluded and growth capital secured by creators.
Woldu Yemessel Baraki, director-general of EIPA, presented the agency's five-year operational performance alongside its first-quarter results, highlighting its institutional readiness as it prepares to align its next strategic plan with Ethiopia's broader national development priorities.
“The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the authority's institutional strengthening and reform agenda. The delegation also toured its operational facilities and ongoing office construction,” the ministry said in a statement.
The proposed reforms reflect Ethiopia's ambition to use intellectual property to support industrial development and economic competitiveness. Their impact will depend on implementation, including improved services, increased commercialisation of local innovations and stronger protection for creators and businesses.
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