“We Are Not Asking for Assistance – We Are Offering Partnership” Minister Dr Shava

Itai Mazire

Zimbabwe has declared its intention to play a far greater role in the global intellectual property (IP) ecosystem, telling visiting World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Director General Mr Daren Tang that the country is not merely seeking technical help but positioning itself as a regional innovation hub and strategic partner in Southern Africa.

Speaking in Harare on Monday during Tang’s official visit, the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Dr Frederick Shava, said the country wants to be treated as a collaborator, not a passive beneficiary.

“We are not merely asking for technical assistance; we are offering partnership, a testing ground, and a strategic platform in Southern Africa,” said Dr Shava.

He said the country has already laid critical foundations for an innovation-driven economy through policy reforms, the rollout of Education 5.0, and the establishment of innovation hubs across state universities.

Dr Shava indicated that the nation intends to go beyond institutional development and aims to anchor regional IP-driven industrialisation.

“Our policy reforms, Education 5.0, and industry-facing universities make us an attractive partner for WIPO’s mission to harness intellectual property for development,” he said.

Dr Shava stressed that Zimbabwe is ready for a deeper and more strategic collaboration with WIPO one focused on measurable economic transformation.

“We do not seek the theoretical. We seek jointly delivered measurable outcomes. We want more filings that lead to licensing and trade, more university spin-outs that scale, and more SMEs using intellectual property to reach regional markets.”

He added that Zimbabwe was prepared to open its institutions, hubs and policy frameworks to WIPO as a live laboratory for innovation-driven development.

“Zimbabwe is offering a platform where ideas, policies and technologies can be tested, refined and scaled. This is not a one-way relationship; it is a mutual investment.”

Dr Shava highlighted the country’s ongoing commitment under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) to expand rural industrialisation and turn intellectual property into a vehicle for broad-based economic participation.

“At least one operational rural industry in each province anchored on local innovation, technology transfer and intellectual-property-protected products is our target under NDS2. WIPO’s experience will be vital in shaping rural industrial models that are replicable and scalable,” said Dr Shava.

He directly appealed for WIPO’s support in strengthening commercialization pathways, emphasising that public investment in research must translate to measurable economic returns.

“This public investment must translate into measurable economic returns. We are ready to commit human and institutional resources to turn these steps into rapid, measurable progress. Zimbabwe’s innovators are mobile and in demand. We seek WIPO’s guidance on incentive frameworks that help innovators access capital while remaining in the country to build firms and create jobs.”

“Zimbabwe is ready to be a regional hub for applied research commercialization. We welcome your expertise, but we also bring our own tools, institutions and commitment to the table.”

Dr Shava said Mr Tang’s visit is a turning point in Zimbabwe’s innovation trajectory.

“Together, we can ensure that intellectual property becomes a true engine of industrialisation, rural prosperity and export-led growth not just for Zimbabwe, but for the region,” he said.

Mr Tang is expected to hold further meetings with government officials, universities and innovation hubs during his two-day visit, with both sides signalling readiness to establish concrete joint programmes in technology transfer, commercialization and capacity building.