The two-day presential Workshop on Designs and Utility Models for the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) member states was held at the ARIPO Secretariat in Harare, Zimbabwe on 27 and 28 April 2022.

At least 80 participants from the ARIPO member states and observer states (including Angola and South Africa) attended the workshop. The participants represented national IP offices, universities and research and development institutions.

Over the last 20 years, Geographical Indications (GIs) have emerged as a global phenomenon, generating growing interest among producers, consumers, scholars and policymakers. The experience of GIs in Africa shows that they deserve solid national and international protection and are a valuable development tool.