Today October 30.2025,The Minister of State Sandrine Umutoni joined Minister Epiphany Ugirashebuja, Minister Pascal Sebahizi, WIPO Academy Director Tedla Desta, and key stakeholders in law, innovation, and creativity for the High-Level Forum on Intellectual Property (IP) and Innovation and the launch of the WIPO DL101 Customized Course, organized by Legal Practice Rwanda and the WIPO Academy.

During the panel discussion titled “Intellectual Property as a Catalyst for Rwanda’s Innovation and Creative Economy,” MoS Sandrine Umutoni underscored Rwanda’s continued efforts to build a knowledge-driven economy powered by creativity, innovation, and strong IP protection systems.

“Without a strong intellectual property protection system, we cannot unlock the full potential of our creative economy. IP is not just a legal matter—it’s an economic instrument that transforms talent into value,” she stated.

MoS Umutoni also emphasized the importance of IP awareness and education in empowering young innovators and artists:

“The new WIPO DL101 customised course gives our youth and creatives the tools to protect, manage, and profit from their ideas.”

She further called for fair recognition and remuneration for creators, adding:

“Visibility and remuneration are not mutually exclusive. Creators deserve both. The hours spent writing, painting, or composing are real work, and that work must be paid for.”

Concluding her remarks, the Minister urged all sectors benefiting from creative works to value and support the artists behind them, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to nurturing Rwanda’s creative economy and ensuring that youth and artists thrive in an environment that values innovation, talent, and fair reward.