Mozambique reviews patent law for AI inventions

• Mozambique's government will review patent legislation to address challenges posed by digital environment.
• The Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (PEPI) 2026-2035 aims to ensure alignment with international best practices on AI patents.
• Review process expected to involve consultations with stakeholders, including lawyers and tech industry experts.
• Update could attract foreign investment and create opportunities for local startups and small businesses.

The review of patent legislation in Mozambique comes at a time when the country's intellectual property laws are under scrutiny from international organizations and foreign investors.

The Mozambican government has announced plans to review its patent legislation in light of the growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovations. The move is part of the recently approved Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (PEPI) 2026-2035, approved through Council of Ministers Resolution No. 53/2026, dated June 30, 2026, which aims to address the challenges posed by the digital environment. The PEPI 2026-2035 explicitly provides for a study on the patentability of artificial intelligence-related inventions and a revision of the country's legal framework to address the challenges of the digital environment, with a view to ensuring that the country's intellectual property laws are aligned with international best practices.

The review process is expected to involve a thorough examination of existing legislation and regulations, as well as consultations with stakeholders in the tech industry. This includes lawyers, inventors, and entrepreneurs who have invested heavily in AI-related innovations. The ultimate goal is to create a more favorable business environment for innovation and entrepreneurship in Mozambique.

The review of patent legislation in Mozambique comes at a time when the country's intellectual property laws are under scrutiny from international organizations and foreign investors. The government has been criticized for its slow pace in updating its IP laws to keep pace with global developments, particularly in areas such as AI and biotechnology. The new Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (PEPI) 2026-2035 is seen as an effort to address these concerns and ensure that Mozambique's IP regime is competitive with other countries in the region. Furthermore, Mozambique's intellectual property system was restructured in January 2025, with copyrights now managed by the National Institute of Culture and Creative Industries (INICC) and patents and trademarks by the Industrial Property Institute (IPI). In a related development, Mozambique also established a National Commission for Artificial Intelligence (CNIA) by a Council of Ministers' decree that came into force in April 2026, tasked with advising the government on the ethical, legal, security, and social dimensions of AI.

The strategy also highlights the need for greater awareness and education among stakeholders about the importance of intellectual property protection, particularly in the context of AI innovations. This includes training programs for lawyers, judges, and other professionals who deal with IP issues on a regular basis.

The review of patent legislation in Mozambique has significant implications for businesses and entrepreneurs who are investing in AI-related innovations. If the government succeeds in updating its IP laws to make them more favorable to innovation, it could attract more foreign investment and create new opportunities for local startups and small businesses.

However, if the process is slow or ineffective, it could lead to a loss of competitiveness for Mozambican companies in the global market. Lawyers who advise clients on AI-related innovations should be closely monitoring developments in this area and advising their clients accordingly.

Lawyers should watch for potential changes to Mozambique's IP legislation and their impact on clients with AI-related innovations, as the government reviews patentability and addresses digital environment challenges.

Source: Original reporting via Mozambican government press release