Mozambique records approximately 102,000 registrations of distinct commercial signs, conducted by the Institute of Industrial Property (Instituto da Propriedade Industrial – IPI) over the last 20 years within the framework of industrial property administration.
The statistic was disclosed today in Maputo by IPI spokesperson Dito Nhantumbo, on the sidelines of the 2nd Ordinary Session of the institution’s Advisory Council, held under the theme “Industrial Property: Strengthening Domestic Industry Toward African Regional Integration.”
According to Nhantumbo, the registrations encompass distinctive commercial signs, including trademarks, emphasizing the imperative of reinforcing the registration and protection of intellectual property.
The Advisory Council session takes place at a time when the country is implementing measures to digitalize industrial property administration services.
Prominent among ongoing measures is the rollout of online registration, highlighted by the Secretary of State for Industry, Custódia Jone Paúnde, as a key area of intervention to support the digital transformation of public services.
Paúnde also highlighted the Cabinet’s approval of the Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy 2026–2035, which establishes guidelines for integrating intellectual property into economic, scientific, technological, and cultural development policies.
The official advocated for implementing the strategic document through actions with clearly defined responsibilities alongside monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
“The real challenge begins now—converting the intellectual property policy and strategy into concrete results for the country, enterprises, researchers, producers, and local communities,” she stated.
Modernizing the management system for industrial property rights constituted another core topic addressed during the session.
In addition to online registration, Paúnde cited information security, data protection, cybersecurity, system interoperability, and human resource capacity building as critical factors to consider in modernizing institutional services.
The Secretary of State for Industry further referenced African economic integration, highlighting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) within the context of opportunities and challenges facing Mozambican businesses.
According to Paúnde, integrating African markets will facilitate the expansion of domestic companies, products, and services within a environment of heightened competition among market operators.
“Integrating African markets creates unprecedented opportunities for the expansion of national companies, products, and services. But a more integrated continental market also means heightened competition,” she said.
The IPI Advisory Council session addresses, among other topics, the modernization of industrial property services, the execution of the Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy 2026–2035, and national participation in regional and continental economic integration frameworks.
