By Vaye Abel Lepolu
Monrovia – The Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO) is appealing for a major budget increase of US$1.5 million to support its nationwide decentralization plan, strengthen intellectual property protection, and expand public awareness on copyright, trademarks, and plant variety rights.
The request comes as the agency says its current budget slightly above US$200,000 is too small to meet growing national demands in agriculture, innovation, and the creative industries.
Last year, LIPO received only US$35,000 for goods and services, covering fuel, stationery, and minimal operational support. Officials warn that without additional funding, the office cannot reach rural innovators, farmers, and SMEs who rely on IP protection to commercialize their works.
“We need at least US$1.5 million if we are to decentralize the office and establish help desks across the counties,” LIPO Executive Director madam Garmai Koboi said. “Awareness is very expensive. You cannot reach farmers, creators, and inventors nationwide without vehicles, outreach teams, and trained staff,” she mentioned.
However, she stated that as Liberia moves to sign the Arusha Protocol for the Protection of New Plant Varieties, LIPO needs increased funding is essential to help farmers understand the benefits of plant variety protection and prepare for regional agricultural markets.
Madam Garmai Koboi emphasized that, the agency is working with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to finalize treaty processes and review national laws to include plant variety protection provisions.
The Director General says the creative sector including musicians, influencers, filmmakers, and digital content creators cannot fully benefit from online monetization without stronger IP systems and better collaboration with regulators like the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA).
“Protecting creators’ work is our duty, but monetization requires a joint national effort,” Madam Garmai Koboi stated.
Meanwhile, she said that despite financial limitations, Liberia continues to gain visibility on the regional IP stage. At the recent ARIPO meeting in Ghana, Liberia served on three key committees and chaired the Copyright Committee bureau, earning praise from international partners.
LIPO says through the director that it has already engaged with the Ministry of Finance through the revenue hearings and hopes the Executive will give the “green light” before the national budget reaches the Legislature.
