By Rancy S. Teewia
MONROVIA, Oct. 16 (LINA) — Acting Minister of Commerce and Industry Stephen Marka Yekeson says Liberia must view intellectual property (IP) as a tool for economic transformation rather than merely a legal issue.
Minister Yekeson made the statement on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the official opening of the National Validation Workshop on the Draft National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy, organized by the Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO), with support from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Delivering the keynote address, the Acting Minister said Liberia’s competitiveness in the global economy would no longer depend solely on its natural resources but also on its ability to generate ideas, protect innovations, build strong brands and transform knowledge into economic value.
He noted that Liberian farmers, manufacturers, artists, musicians, designers and technology entrepreneurs possess valuable assets that remain underutilized because they are not adequately protected, managed or commercialized.
“Our objective must be clear: to ensure that intellectual property protection translates into tangible economic opportunities for Liberian citizens and businesses,” Minister Yekeson said.
He explained that an effective intellectual property system would enable businesses to distinguish their products through trademarks, protect inventions through patents, safeguard creative works through copyright and create commercial value through geographical indications.
The Acting Minister outlined four key pillars that should guide the policy and strategy.
These include strengthening support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), many of which have limited awareness of the value of their brands and designs; moving beyond IP protection to commercialization by connecting universities, researchers, investors and industries; unlocking opportunities in agriculture, traditional craftsmanship, music, literature and other creative industries; and establishing a predictable and transparent business environment that inspires confidence among entrepreneurs and investors.
Minister Yekeson urged workshop participants to adopt a practical, results-oriented approach to developing the policy.
He called for clearly defined institutional responsibilities, strengthened technical capacity at LIPO, expanded intellectual property education, realistic financing mechanisms and measurable implementation timelines.
He also emphasized the need to ensure that IP services reach entrepreneurs and creators in all 15 counties, rather than being concentrated in Monrovia, with particular attention to small businesses, young people and women-led enterprises.
Earlier, in her welcome remarks, LIPO Director General Garmai Koboi described the workshop as an important milestone in Liberia’s efforts to establish a comprehensive framework for protecting and benefiting from intellectual property rights.
Madam Koboi specifically acknowledged Minister Yekeson’s participation, saying his presence underscored the Government’s recognition of intellectual property as a driver of national development. She also expressed appreciation to WIPO for its continued partnership and support.
She stressed that intellectual property was no longer the exclusive concern of lawyers and large corporations, noting that countries that prosper today are those that know how to generate, protect and commercialize the products of their citizens’ creativity and innovation.
“When these assets are protected and properly leveraged, they become sources of income, employment, investment and national pride. When they are not, value is lost, creators go unrewarded and opportunities pass by,” she said.
Madam Koboi disclosed that the draft National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy was informed by a national IP audit conducted from October to December 2025, as well as consultations with stakeholders.
The process identified gaps in institutional capacity, infrastructure, coordination and access to intellectual property services.
She said the draft policy represents a collective response to these challenges and is intended to make Liberia’s IP system more accessible, coordinated and responsive to the needs of its users, particularly women, young people and communities outside Monrovia.
According to her, the proposed framework also seeks to align Liberia’s intellectual property system with international standards under WIPO and the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO).
Both officials reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that the policy translates into practical interventions that strengthen businesses, encourage innovation, attract investment, expand market access and create jobs across Liberia.