Africa IP Summit 2024 Receives Endorsement from Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office

The Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office says it is honored to endorse and fully support the 5th All Africa Intellectual Property (IP) Summit, scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, from November 28th to 30th, 2024, in a statement signed by the National Coordinator, Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, H.E. Mr Olusegun Awolowo. 

“The Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office firmly believes that intellectual property protection is fundamental to achieving the goals of the AfCFTA by promoting cross-border trade in creative industries, boosting entrepreneurship, and fostering collaboration between African countries,” says Mr Awolowo. “We are committed to working with stakeholders to ensure that the outcomes of the summit contribute to shaping policies and frameworks that benefit all African nations, especially in the context of regional and global trade.”

Mr Awolowo therefore extended the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office’s best wishes to the organizers of the All Africa IP Summit 2024 adding that they look forward to the robust discussions and actionable recommendations that will emerge from the premier IP gathering. “This prestigious summit provides an unparalleled platform for intellectual property specialists, policymakers, business leaders, and innovators across the continent to converge and address critical issues regarding IP and its pivotal role in driving Africa’s sustainable development.”

As Africa embarks on a transformative journey under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), promoting and safeguarding intellectual property becomes vital in ensuring competitiveness, fostering innovation, and safeguarding African creativity and heritage. Thus, the 5th Africa IP Summit comes at a critical time when the continent seeks to harness the potential of IP in fostering economic growth, and industrialization, and positioning African enterprises to compete favorably on the global stage.

As Africa embarks on a transformative journey under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), intellectual property becomes vital in ensuring competitiveness, fostering innovation, and safeguarding African creativity and heritage. This summit comes at a critical time as the continent seeks to harness the potential of IP for economic growth, industrialization, and positioning African enterprises on the global stage.

The 5th Africa IP Summit seeks to raise awareness about the role of intellectual property in fostering innovation and Africa’s economic development; Foster dialogue on key issues and challenges related to IP protection, enforcement, and commercialization in Africa; Promote collaboration and networking among policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and practitioners in Africa’s IP ecosystem; as well as increase general awareness about IP among Africa’s private sector stakeholders.