Empower youth on intellectual property rights, experts call

DAR ES SALAAM: LEGAL and development stakeholders have called on the government to implement robust strategies to educate and empower young people about Intellectual Property (IP), in order to foster business growth and drive national development.

Tanzania’s youth, the largest demographic group in the country, are actively engaged in innovation, the arts, music and entrepreneurship.

However, many of them lack sufficient understanding of how to legally protect their creative ideas and innovations.

An IP Advocate and Partner at NexLaw Professor Saudin Mwakaje stressed the importance of IP awareness during a two-day training on IP and business development, held recently in Dar es Salaam.

The training was organised by NexLaw Advocates in collaboration with the Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Foundation (JMKF) and brought together youth from various regions across Tanzania.

“In today’s highly competitive business environment, legal protection for innovative ideas is essential for the progress of creators,” said Prof Mwakaje.

The training covered a range of topics, including, methods to protect innovations and brands, use of IP in business decision-making, key aspects of business law (including Tanzania Revenue Authority regulations) and strategies for brand communication and improvement.

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Prof Mwakaje noted that the programme complements government efforts to economically empower youth.

“Through intellectual property, such as copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets, young people can enter the market not just as job seekers, but as innovators and owners of value,” he said.

He encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained to support their entrepreneurial journeys. Executive Director of JMKF, Ms Vanessa Anyoti said the training aligns with the foundation’s mission to empower youth as agents of social and economic transformation.

“Every day we see highlevel innovation from Tanzanian youth. This training provides them with the tools they need to protect their innovations, tell their stories and grow their businesses sustainably,” she said.

Advocate Elizabeth Mlemeta, a partner at NexLaw Advocates and one of the facilitators, noted that many young people still have limited knowledge about intellectual property and copyright laws.

“We often see artists recording music without understanding their rights, which leaves them vulnerable. Others can easily modify or use their work without consent,” she said.

Advocate Mlemeta urged the government through initiatives like the Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign to enhance youth awareness of IP laws and copyright protections.

One of the participants, Highness Machange from Mwanza, who designs fence wire-making machines, expressed appreciation for the training.

“When we started our company, we had no understanding of IP, which made it difficult to access funding and loans. Thanks to this training, we now understand how to formalise and protect our business properly,” she said.