AfCFTA, Intellectual Property Summit Partner to Drive African Trade and Innovation

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat has partnered with the All-Africa Intellectual Property Summit to strengthen the role of intellectual property (IP) in driving intra-African trade, industrialisation, innovation and the continent’s creative economy.

The partnership will support the 7th All-Africa Intellectual Property Summit, scheduled for November 11–13, 2026, in Nairobi, Kenya, under the theme: “Mainstreaming Intellectual Property for Africa’s Trade, Industrial and Creative Economy Transformation.”

The summit comes as Africa advances efforts to establish a continental framework for intellectual property under the AfCFTA.

In February 2026, the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union approved eight of the nine Annexes to the AfCFTA Protocol on Intellectual Property Rights.

The approved Annexes cover utility models; traditional knowledge, traditional cultural expressions and genetic resources; plant variety protection; patents; trademarks; industrial designs; geographical indications; and copyright and related rights.

Bringing policymakers and innovators together

The three-day summit is expected to bring together policymakers, intellectual property institutions and practitioners, businesses, innovators, creators, academics, investors, financial institutions and development partners.

Discussions will focus on how intellectual property can be integrated into Africa’s trade and industrial development strategies and used to create greater economic opportunities for businesses and innovators.

The AfCFTA Secretariat will provide the continental trade and integration perspective during policy and technical discussions, particularly on the implementation of the AfCFTA Protocol on Intellectual Property Rights.

The emerging framework is expected to help African businesses, innovators and creators better protect and commercialise their inventions, brands, creative works and other intellectual assets.

It is also intended to support business competitiveness and improve access to finance, investment, partnerships and new markets.

Wamkele Mene

AfCFTA Secretary-General, H.E. Wamkele Mene, described the adoption of the eight Annexes as an important step towards creating a continental intellectual property framework that supports African innovation, creativity and enterprise.

“The task before us is to translate this framework into practical opportunities for African businesses, innovators and creators,” he said.

Mr. Mene added that the partnership would help strengthen the connection between intellectual property, trade, investment and industrialisation as Africa works towards building an integrated continental market.

Focus on commercialisation and innovation

The summit will feature high-level policy dialogues, technical sessions and private-sector engagements.

Key areas of discussion will include intellectual property commercialisation, innovation and technology transfer, creative industries, industrial transformation and strategies for African businesses to use intellectual property to expand their markets.

An Innovation Pavilion will also showcase African inventions, creative products, intellectual assets and businesses, while providing opportunities for innovators to connect with investors, institutions and potential commercial partners.

Research and policy recommendations submitted through the summit’s Call for Papers will also contribute to the discussions.

The summit is expected to conclude with the adoption of the Nairobi Declaration on Intellectual Property and Africa’s Economic Transformation, which will outline strategic priorities for integrating the AfCFTA intellectual property regime into Africa’s trade and industrial development agenda.

Critical moment for Africa

Chairman of the All-Africa Intellectual Property Summit, Mr. Sand Mba Kalu, said the partnership comes at a critical time as the continent moves towards implementing its 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.

The organisers are inviting stakeholders from across Africa and beyond to participate in the summit and contribute to efforts to translate the continent’s evolving intellectual property framework into practical opportunities for businesses, innovators and creators.

Story by : Mark Acheampong