AfCFTA summit to examine intellectual property’s role in African trade

Government officials and policymakers from across Africa will meet in Kenya in November for a summit examining how intellectual property can support continental trade, innovation and economic transformation. The seventh All Africa Intellectual Property Summit is being organised in partnership with the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat. The three-day event will take place from November 11 to 13 under the theme “Mainstreaming Intellectual Property for Africa’s Trade, Industrial & Creative Economy Transformation”.

In a joint statement issued on Friday, the organisers said the partnership aims to strengthen intellectual property’s contribution to intra-African trade. Intellectual property includes legal protections for inventions, brands, artistic works, designs and other intangible assets. The organisers said stronger protection could help African businesses safeguard innovations and brands, commercialise ideas, attract investment and expand into regional and international markets.

The summit will examine how the AfCFTA’s intellectual property framework could create practical opportunities for businesses, innovators and creators. Discussions are expected to include implementation of the AfCFTA Intellectual Property Rights Protocol and the role of intellectual property in promoting inclusive economic development. The programme will also draw on submissions from a Call for Papers and include an Innovation Pavilion showcasing African creativity, intellectual assets and business opportunities.

The summit is expected to consider a Nairobi Declaration on Intellectual Property and Africa’s Economic Transformation. The AfCFTA Secretary-General, H. E.

Mene, described the meeting as important for creating a continental framework supporting African innovation, creativity and enterprise. Sand Kalu, chairman of the All Africa Intellectual Property Summit, said the partnership came at an important point in the development of intellectual property across Africa. He said the event would bring together policymakers, businesses, innovators and creators to examine how intellectual property could generate economic value.