Summit in Kenya to Boost Intellectual Property for African Trade

Government officials and policymakers from all over Africa will meet in Kenya this November. They will talk about how intellectual property can help Africa’s trade and economic growth.

This meeting will happen at the 7th All Africa Intellectual Property Summit. It is organized in partnership with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.

The All Africa Intellectual Property (IP) Summit is a key Pan-African platform. It aims to promote the role of intellectual property in Africa’s economic growth, innovation, and global competitiveness.

The organizers released a joint statement on Friday. They said they are teaming up to strengthen how intellectual property can boost trade within Africa.

The summit is called “Mainstreaming Intellectual Property for Africa’s Trade, Industrial & Creative Economy Transformation.” It will last for three days, from November 11 to 13.

Intellectual property (IP) means the legal protections for creations and innovations. This includes inventions, brands, artistic works, designs, and other intangible assets.

The organizations involved believe a stronger IP system can help African businesses. It can protect their innovations and brands, help them market their ideas, attract investors, and expand to other regions 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 said.

The summit will look into how the AfCFTA’s IP framework can create real chances for African businesses, innovators, and creators. It will also discuss how to implement the AfCFTA Intellectual Property Rights Protocol.

This includes the role of intellectual property in supporting inclusive economic development. The program will take into account ideas from a Call for Papers. There will also be an Innovation Pavilion to showcase African creativity, innovation, intellectual assets, and business opportunities.

At the summit, policymakers will likely adopt a Nairobi Declaration on Intellectual Property and Africa’s Economic Transformation. The AfCFTA Secretary-General, H. E. Mene, called the summit key for creating a continental framework. This framework will support African innovation, creativity, and business.

The Chairman of the All Africa Intellectual Property Summit, Sand Kalu, mentioned that the partnership with the AfCFTA Secretariat comes at a crucial time for Africa’s intellectual property growth.

“As the continent advances implementation of the AfCFTA intellectual property framework, the Summit provides an opportunity to bring policy, business, innovation and creativity together. It will also show how intellectual property can create real economic value,” he said.

He added that the AfCFTA Secretariat and AAIPS will keep engaging stakeholders across Africa and beyond. They will discuss the future of intellectual property in the continent’s integrated market.