The All Africa Intellectual Property Summit recently hosted a significant webinar to commemorate the Africa Technology and Intellectual Property Day, an annual celebration by the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI). The event brought together over 70 participants from across various African countries, highlighting the critical role of intellectual property (IP) in driving Africa’s economic development and regional integration.
It was noted that this annual celebration marks a vital platform to showcase how IP contributes to transforming African economies and this was evident from the theme of the webinar “Driving Regional Integration and Economic Development in Africa through IP,” underscoring the strategic importance of IP in harnessing African innovation and commercial potential.
Sand Mba Kalu, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the All Africa IP Summit, in his opening remarks, noted that IP today is a cornerstone of global competitiveness, essential for innovation and wealth creation worldwide. “For Africa, leveraging IP systems effectively is pivotal to unlocking the continent’s vast talent, cultural diversity, and resources, ensuring that innovations translate into jobs, industries, and revenues rather than missed opportunities”.
The webinar featured expert presentations covering critical topics:
Fatou Camara – Head of Intellectual Property Service, Groupe Sonatel. Lawyer and OAPI-accredited IP attorney, discussed IP financing and investment challenges facing African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). She highlighted difficulties in accessing finance due to valuation complexities, high interest rates, and administrative barriers. Despite these challenges, innovative partnerships like those by OAPI aim to unlock capital by recognizing IP as bank collateral.
Annie Ndo’o – Official at the Ministry of Trade (Cameroon), and an expert on TRIPS-related issues, presented on harmonizing IP laws to foster regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Dou explained how IP protocols, the African Medicines Agency, and strategies for geographical indications are fundamental in building a coherent continental IP framework that supports economic cooperation and innovation transfer.
Efua Jennifer Sandra Johnston, a magistrate from Benin who represented Obambi Wilfrid Vivien, the Deputy Secretary of the African Network of Intellectual Property Judges (RAMPI), addressed enforcement gaps and the coexistence of different IP protection systems in Africa, such as those governed by OAPI and ARIPO. She emphasized the challenges innovators face due to administrative complexity, high costs, and lack of effective cross-border enforcement, reinforcing the need for stronger harmonization and collaboration.
Michèle Tatiana Ampfounyele – Head Intellectual Property Department at Maître Cheikh Fall Law Firm, and OAPI accredited agent in Senegal, highlighted communication and governance issues plaguing IP in Africa. She called for policy cohesion and increased awareness among enterprises and stakeholders to realize IP’s full benefits for economic growth.
The discussions were moderated by Mamadou Siradjo Diallo, an IP lawyer at Louis Vuitton and OAPI accredited IP attorney and the webinar was hosted by JeanPierre Nyemeg an intellectual property specialist in the OAPI Region.
The webinar reinforced the call to action: collaboration, policy alignment, and capacity building are essential to unlock Africa’s IP potential. Participants were encouraged to register for the upcoming All Africa Intellectual Property Summit scheduled for November 12-14, 2025, in Dakar, Senegal, which promises to be a landmark event for advancing Africa’s IP ecosystem.
This webinar reaffirmed the vital intersection of creativity, innovation, and inclusive growth in shaping a unified African market that leverages intellectual property as a key driver for sustainable development and regional integration. The dialogue marks a significant step forward in Africa’s journey towards fully realizing the transformative power of intellectual property.
The All Africa Intellectual Property Summit continues to serve as a critical platform for dialogue, ideas, and solutions to strengthen IP across the continent, uniting policymakers, innovators, academics, and development partners in pursuit of a thriving African IP ecosystem. The momentum from this event will carry forward into the Summit and beyond, fostering lasting progress for Africa’s creative and innovative future.
