Strengthening IP Dispute Resolution in Africa through the WIPO ADR Co-Administration Program

In this episode of the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Matters podcast, we welcome Maureen Fondo, Head of Copyright and Related Rights at the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO). With over 16 years of experience in copyright law, Maureen shares her professional journey into intellectual property, highlighting how her background as a lawyer, lecturer, and artist has shaped her IP perspective.

The episode explores the WIPO ADR Co-Administration Program, a collaborative initiative supporting IP and copyright offices—particularly in ARIPO member states—in developing efficient, digital ADR services. Maureen explains the relevance of the Kampala Protocol for voluntary copyright registration and how it intersects with dispute resolution at the regional level.

She also shares personal insights on the transformative power of education, the importance of empowering young professionals in IP, and how ADR can support creators in today’s digital, cross-border environment. The conversation highlights ARIPO’s growing efforts, in partnership with WIPO, to build sustainable dispute resolution mechanisms across Africa.