Sierra Leone will observe National Intellectual Property Week 2026 from October 13 to 16, with a renewed focus on strengthening intellectual property protection, promoting innovation and turning creativity into economic opportunities.
The four-day event will be organised by the Office of the Administrator and Registrar General (OARG) and the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Japan Patent Office (JPO).
The initiative is expected to bring together legal practitioners, academics, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to explore how intellectual property can contribute to national development.
The first phase, scheduled for October 13 and 14, will be held under the theme, “Empowering Universities, Research and Development Institutions and Emerging Innovators Through Intellectual Property.”
Attorney General and Minister of Justice Alpha Sesay, Esq., is expected to deliver the keynote address. Sessions will examine ways to strengthen the legal and institutional frameworks needed to protect academic research, inventions and emerging innovations.
The initiative recognises the importance of enabling universities, research institutions and young innovators to safeguard their intellectual creations, attract investment and translate research findings into practical solutions that benefit society.
The second phase, scheduled for October 15 and 16, will address the theme, “Transforming Innovative Ideas and Creativity into Competitive Businesses: Leveraging Intellectual Property for MSMEs, Startups, Creative Industries and Producer Communities.”
Deputy Minister of Justice Saptieu Elizabeth Saccoh is expected to deliver the keynote address. Discussions will explore how intellectual property rights can help micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), startups, creative professionals and producer communities protect their products, establish recognisable brands and compete in local and international markets.
The programme will also highlight the role of intellectual property in encouraging entrepreneurship, strengthening local value chains and supporting economic diversification.
National Intellectual Property Week 2026 comes at a time when protecting ideas, creative works, inventions and distinctive products is increasingly important to economic competitiveness and sustainable development.
By bringing together national institutions and international partners, the programme aims to deepen understanding of intellectual property rights and demonstrate their practical value to Sierra Leone’s innovation ecosystem.
The event will be conducted virtually, with sessions streamed live on YouTube from 9:00 a.m. daily, allowing interested members of the public to participate.
The initiative underscores the importance of viewing intellectual property not merely as a legal instrument, but as a strategic resource for empowering innovators, supporting businesses and unlocking the economic potential of Sierra Leonean creativity.
