AfCFTA, African IP Summit to push intellectual property as driver of continental trade

Government officials and policymakers from across Africa will be gathering in Kenya in November to discuss how intellectual property can support Africa’s trade and economic transformation.

The discussion will take place at the 7th edition of the All Africa Intellectual Property Summit organised in collaboration with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.

The All Africa Intellectual Property (IP) Summit is a premier Pan-African multi-stakeholder platform “dedicated to advancing the role of intellectual property in driving Africa’s economic transformation, innovation ecosystem, and global competitiveness.”

The organisers, in a joint statement issued on Friday, said they are involved in a strategic partnership to strengthen the role of intellectual property in advancing intra-African trade.

The event, the 7th All Africa Intellectual Property Summit, is titled “Mainstreaming Intellectual Property for Africa’s Trade, Industrial & Creative Economy Transformation” and will run for three days, from 11-13 November.

Intellectual property (IP) broadly refers to legal protections for creations and innovations, including inventions, brands, artistic and creative works, designs, and other intangible assets.

The organisations stated that a stronger IP system could help African businesses protect their innovations and brands, commercialise their ideas, attract investment and expand into regional and international markets.

“The adopted Annexes cover Utility Models; Traditional Knowledge, Traditional Cultural Expressions and Genetic Resources; Plant Variety Protection; Patents; Marks; Industrial Designs; Geographical Indications; and Copyright and Related Rights,” the statement read.

The summit will examine how the AfCFTA’s IP framework can translate into practical opportunities for African businesses, innovators, and creators.

It is also expected to examine implementation of the AfCFTA Intellectual Property Rights Protocol, including the role of intellectual property in promoting inclusive economic development.

The programme will also draw on perspectives from a Call for Papers, alongside an Innovation Pavilion designed to showcase African creativity, innovation, intellectual assets and business opportunities.

At the summit, policymakers are expected to adopt a Nairobi Declaration on Intellectual Property and Africa’s Economic Transformation.

The AfCFTA Secretary-General, H. E. Mene, described the summit as crucial to building a continental framework that supports African innovation, creativity and enterprise.

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The Chairman of the All Africa Intellectual Property Summit, Sand Kalu, also said the partnership with the AfCFTA Secretariat is coming at an important moment for Africa’s intellectual property development.

“As the continent advances implementation of the AfCFTA intellectual property framework, the Summit provides an opportunity to bring policy, business, innovation and creativity together and examine how intellectual property can generate tangible economic value,” he said.

He also noted that the AfCFTA Secretariat and AAIPS will continue engaging stakeholders across Africa and beyond to discuss the future of intellectual property within the continent’s integrated market.