Gov’t of Liberia Begins Validation of Draft Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy

— As acting Commerce Minister describes the document as an essential instrument for enterprise development, investment promotion, industrial growth, and economic diversification.

Front row: Acting Minister of Commerce and Industry Hon. Stephen Yekeson (second from left), with Mr. Emmanuel Rugomboka, Counsellor in WIPO’s Division for Africa, and Hon. Garmai Koboi, Director General of the Liberia Intellectual Property Office.

The Government of Liberia has begun the validation of its draft National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS) to guide short-, medium-, and long-term actions in the protection, administration and commercialization of intellectual property rights.

The ongoing validation exercise, which runs from October 15 to 16, comes as President Joseph Boakai’s administration has made intellectual property protection and development a key policy priority under Pillar One of the ARREST Agenda.

Opening the validation workshop, Acting Minister of Commerce and Industry Hon. Stephen Yekeson said the exercise represents a step toward a national framework that recognizes the economic value of knowledge and protects the legitimate interests of creators and innovators.

“In today’s increasingly knowledge-driven global economy, national competitiveness depends not only on the natural resources a country possesses or the goods it produces, but also on its ability to generate ideas, protect innovation, develop valuable brands, commercialize creative works, and transform knowledge into economic value,” Hon. Yekeson added.

Min. Yekeson further noted that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry sees the NIPPS as an important document that connects to Liberia’s wider trade, investment, and economic development priorities, as an effective intellectual property system is key to a more supportive business environment, encourages responsible investment, and reinforces Liberia’s broader efforts to improve trade competitiveness and private sector growth.

“Today’s validation workshop is particularly important because the success of a national policy depends not only on the quality of the document, but also on its relevance to national priorities, its responsiveness to practical challenges, and the commitment of the institutions and stakeholders responsible for its implementation,” the Minister also noted while stressing the importance of the validation exercise.

Acting Minister of Commerce and Industry Hon. Stephen Yekeson opens the validation workshop on Liberia’s draft National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy.

The ongoing workshop, which brings together stakeholders from government circles, the creative industries, the business community, higher education institutions and civil society, is convened by the Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, with technical assistance from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

It comes after a national review of the IP Audit findings last year, which identified gaps in institutional capacity, infrastructure, coordination, and access to intellectual property services as constraints that continue to limit the use of the intellectual property system.

The draft NIPPS responds to these findings by seeking to strengthen the country’s intellectual property system and increase its usage and responsiveness. The document, which was developed by experts in intellectual property, aligns with the Government’s national development priorities in the ARREST Agenda and brings coherence to the work of LIPO and other government institutions, while positioning Liberia to take full advantage of regional and global opportunities.

Speaking earlier, LIPO Director General Hon. Garmai Koboi said the draft was made possible through high-level engagement with WIPO in order to align the country’s IP regime with international intellectual property standards and frameworks administered by WIPO, the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), and others.

Hon. Koboi noted that the workshop gives stakeholders an opportunity to confirm that the draft reflects their experiences, challenge impractical measures and examine institutional responsibilities.

“We extend our profound appreciation to the World Intellectual Property Organization for its invaluable technical and financial support. This partnership reflects WIPO’s long-term commitment to helping member states build intellectual property systems that serve their development aspirations, and Liberia is proud to count WIPO among its steadfast partners,” Hon. Koboi added.

“I also recognize both the national and international consultants, whose expertise guided the preparation of this draft; the members of the Technical Steering Committee, who gave their time and recommendations; and the many institutions, enterprises, creators, and individuals who participated in the National IP Audit and the stakeholder consultations,” noted the Director General.

Also speaking, WIPO Representative Emmanuel Rugomboka, a Counsellor in the organization’s Division for Africa, said the document could help connect intellectual property protection with economic diversification, stronger local enterprises and opportunities for women and young entrepreneurs.

He illustrated this potential with a hypothetical Liberian cocoa or coffee cooperative. “Imagine a Liberian agricultural cooperative producing high-quality cocoa or coffee. With the right policy framework, the cooperative could receive support to develop a distinctive brand, protect its trademark, meet quality standards, and explore geographical indication protection where appropriate,” Mr. Rugomboka said.

“By combining intellectual property protection with improved production, processing, packaging and market access, the cooperative could differentiate its products, negotiate better prices and reach higher-value domestic and international markets,” he added. “The resulting benefits could include increased incomes for farmers, new opportunities for young entrepreneurs, and jobs in processing, packaging, marketing and distribution.”

According to Mr. Rugomboka, WIPO stood ready to support implementation of NIPPS in line with Liberia’s priorities and available resources, including efforts to help businesses build competitive brands, researchers bring discoveries to market and creators benefit from their work.