Mr. Bakary Colley, an Intellectual Property Expert at the Ministry of Justice, participated in the 2026 Regional Meeting on the Development of the ARIPO Technology and Innovation Support Centre (TISC) Network, held in Harare, Zimbabwe, from 29 to 30 June 2026.
The meeting was jointly organised by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) with support from the Japan Patent Office (JPO).
During the sidelines of the regional meeting, Mr. Colley emphasised that registering a business should go hand in hand with protecting valuable intellectual property assets such as trademarks, patents, industrial designs, copyrights, and other innovations.
Thus, he encouraged Gambian businesses, startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs to integrate intellectual property protection into their business strategies to safeguard their creations, enhance their competitiveness, and position themselves for investment opportunities.
"When entrepreneurs register their businesses, they should also take the important step of protecting their intellectual property. Doing so gives them exclusive rights over their creations and provides legal remedies if those rights are infringed. Intellectual property is not just a legal safeguard, it is a valuable business asset that can attract investment, enhance competitiveness, and support business growth," Mr. Colley said.
He observed that intellectual property has become one of the most valuable assets in today's knowledge-driven economy, enabling businesses to transform innovative ideas into commercial success while creating jobs and attracting investment.
Mr. Colley further highlighted The Gambia's ongoing efforts to strengthen its national innovation and intellectual property ecosystem by promoting awareness of IP rights among businesses, researchers, universities, creators, and entrepreneurs.
According to him, increasing intellectual property registrations will not only safeguard local innovations but also enhance the country's competitiveness in regional and international markets.
"The future of The Gambia's economy depends largely on our ability to innovate and protect the products of our creativity. Every trademark registered, every invention patented, and every design protected contributes to building a stronger, more resilient economy," he added.
The regional meeting brought together representatives from ARIPO Member and Observer States to explore strategies for strengthening Technology and Innovation Support Centre (TISC) networks across Africa. Discussions focused on expanding access to patent information, scientific and technological knowledge, and innovation support services for universities, research institutions, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), innovation hubs, and entrepreneurs.
Participants emphasised that patent databases represent one of the world's largest sources of technical and scientific information, providing innovators with valuable insights to improve research, identify market opportunities, avoid duplication, and accelerate the commercialisation of new technologies.
Through the TISC Programme, WIPO and ARIPO continue to support Member States in building stronger national innovation ecosystems by improving access to intellectual property information and technology support services.
On behalf of The Gambia, Mr. Colley reaffirmed the country's commitment to promoting the effective use of intellectual property as a catalyst for innovation, entrepreneurship, industrial development, and sustainable economic growth. He stressed that protecting ideas today will help create stronger businesses, generate employment, and contribute to The Gambia's long-term socio-economic development.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment by WIPO, ARIPO, and Member States to move beyond raising awareness of intellectual property towards its effective utilisation and commercialisation, ensuring that African innovations are transformed into competitive products, successful businesses, and lasting development.
