The Ministry of Law and Justice, through the Office of the Registrar General, hosted the Heads of Intellectual Property Offices Conference in Maseru under the theme: “Digital Transformation: Harnessing AI, Strengthening Governance in IP Offices, and Advancing Regional IP Cooperation.”
The conference brought together heads of intellectual property (IP) offices, government officials, legal experts and regional stakeholders to discuss the future of intellectual property administration in Africa, particularly in the era of artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
Officially opening the conference, the Minister of Law and Justice, Mr. Richard Ramoeletsi, said the gathering marks an important moment in Lesotho’s national and regional history as the country celebrates 60 years of independence while the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) commemorates its Golden Jubilee.
Mr. Ramoeletsi said intellectual property has become a key driver of innovation, investment and economic development, adding that digital transformation presents an opportunity for African countries to modernize IP systems and improve service delivery.
He noted that member states are increasingly adopting technologies such as online filing systems and AI-assisted search tools to reduce backlogs, improve the quality of examinations and provide faster and more transparent services to innovators and creators.
Source: Lesotho News Agency [LENA]
