ARIPO

·       ARIPO Council of Ministers Holds 20th Session in Accra, Ghana

The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) held the Twentieth Session of its Council of Ministers in Accra, Ghana, from 21st to 22nd of November 2025. The meeting brought together ministers, senior government officials, intergovernmental organizations and cooperating partners to review ARIPO’s progress and to strengthen collaboration on intellectual property (IP) across the continent. The meeting was attended by seven Ministers, six Accredited Officials and representatives of various intergovernmental and partner organizations.

During the proceedings, the Council elected new officers who will serve for the 2026–2027 biennium. Ghana was elected Chairperson, while Namibia and Eswatini were elected First and Second Vice-Chairpersons respectively. Member States and cooperating partners also delivered statements acknowledging ARIPO’s contributions to the development of national and regional IP systems. Many delegations outlined the initiatives being pursued by their governments to strengthen IP protection, support creators and innovators, and advance the broader innovation agenda at home.

A notable part of the discussions included the Council’s reaffirmation of ARIPO’s position regarding the establishment of an Intellectual Property Office within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Intellectual Property Rights. The Council emphasized that such an office, operating under the AfCFTA, should focus primarily on policy coordination and provide strategic direction to advance the development of a robust and harmonized IP system across Africa.

As the Session ended, the Council endorsed Namibia’s offer to host the Twenty-First Session of the Council of Ministers, with the date to be communicated in due course.

·       ARIPO Symposium Highlights New Strategies for Handling Copyright Matters in Africa

The 6th Annual ARIPO Symposium on Copyright and Related Rights opened in Harare under the theme “Securing Creativity: Evolving Strategies in Copyright and Related Rights”. The three-day event underscored the growing importance of copyright protection as the continent’s creative economy expands in the face of digital transformation and evolving technological challenges.

The Symposium’s focus, “Securing Creativity,” reflects ARIPO’s strategic commitment to safeguarding the rights of creators in a rapidly changing digital and technological environment. With innovations such as artificial intelligence, the proliferation of digital piracy and disparities among national legal systems presenting new obstacles to traditional copyright norms, the event served as a much-needed platform for region-wide dialogue on best practices, enforcement strategies and policy responses.

To back robust policymaking, ARIPO, in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), is building capacity among statisticians, economists and copyright experts within Member States to conduct national studies on the economic contribution of creative industries. This data-driven approach aims to inform targeted policies, attract investment and unlock fresh opportunities for creators across the region.

Complementing these efforts is the ongoing development of an e-Copyright platform, built with support from the Directorate General of Intellectual Property of the Republic of Indonesia. This electronic system is intended to create a regional database of creative works, facilitate implementation of the Kampala Protocol and simplify copyright registration processes for authors, performers and other rights holders in Member States.

ARIPO’s engagement in copyright extends beyond the Symposium. Building on earlier frameworks like the Harare Strategic Plan and other regional policy instruments, the Organisation continues to promote policy harmonisation, capacity building and enforcement collaboration across Member States. These long-term efforts are aimed at nurturing a balanced, vibrant copyright ecosystem across Africa that aligns with international standards and supports both rights protection and creative enterprise growth.

SOUTH AFRICA

·       South Africa: Africa’s Patent Powerhouse; What It Means for Continental Innovation

South Africa continues to dominate Africa’s innovation landscape, emerging as the continent’s leader in patents. Recent figures show that the country recorded 11,267 patents granted and 13,990 applications, far ahead of its regional peers. This leadership reflects a sophisticated innovation ecosystem supported by strong institutions and legal frameworks with a diverse economic base that fuels research across numerous sectors.

The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) plays a central role in this progress. As the national authority responsible for administering patents, the CIPC aligns with international standards under WIPO and TRIPS and has modernised its operations through digital systems that make patent filing more efficient for both local and international applicants. South Africa also offers inventors a smooth pathway to international protection through its participation in the Patent Cooperation Treaty and ongoing collaborations with ARIPO, reinforcing its status as a regional hub for intellectual property governance.

Across the continent, however, South Africa is not alone in its upward trajectory. A recent patent landscape review confirms that Morocco, Algeria, Egypt and Nigeria now join South Africa in the top five African countries for patent activity. Their rise reflects a broader continental shift toward innovation-driven development.

South Africa’s role as the anchor of this growth remains undeniable. Its institutions, research infrastructure and cross-border partnerships continue to set the benchmark for the continent. At the same time, the rise of other African countries signals an encouraging shift toward a more inclusive and collaborative innovation environment across the region.

·       South Africa’s Patent and Design Law Reforms Set to Modernise IP Framework

South Africa is poised to usher in a major overhaul of its intellectual property laws with two landmark legislative proposals: the Patents Bill and the Design Amendment Bill. These initiatives were the focus of a stakeholder workshop held on 23 September 2025 in Pretoria, hosted jointly by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC). The reforms aim to modernise outdated provisions, align South African IP law with evolving international standards, and improve accessibility for innovators, creators, and commercial users of IP.

The proposed Bills are currently being refined to reflect the latest developments in global IP practice and are expected to be tabled before Parliament in the near future. Public consultation is anticipated to begin in February 2026, when the draft legislation is formally published for comment.

The Patents Bill introduces several forward‑looking changes designed to make the patent regime more responsive to modern innovation dynamics. A key feature is the planned integration of provisions from recent international instruments, notably the WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge (GRATK, 2024) and aspects of the Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) IP protocols. By incorporating these elements, South Africa intends to strengthen its international standing and make its patent system more compatible with emerging global norms.

Another major reform under consideration is the possibility of South Africa becoming an International Search Authority (ISA) under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). This would enable the national patent office to conduct international searches, further integrating South Africa into the global patent system and enhancing opportunities for regional harmonisation.

The Patents Bill also introduces mechanisms for third‑party opposition and post‑grant challenges. Patent applications will be published 18 months after filing, allowing third parties to submit observations before substantive examination. Post‑grant opposition will be possible on defined grounds for a period of six or twelve months, with procedures modelled on inter partes hearings, and outcomes subject to judicial review.

Complementing the Patents Bill, the Design Amendment Bill proposes significant reforms to industrial design protection. One key change is the elimination of functional designs, including circuit layouts from design protection, transferring such subject matter to the Patents Act where appropriate. The Bill also introduces an opposition period for design applications (despite maintaining registration without substantive examination), and paves the way for South Africa’s accession to the Hague Agreement on international design protection, as well as potential alignment with the Riyadh Design Law Treaty (RDLT, 2024).

Further harmonisation measures are under consideration, including allowing multiple designs in a single application and permitting flexible representation formats such as photographs and animations; modernising South Africa’s design system and reducing barriers for applicants.

Together, these Bills represent the most sweeping overhaul of South African patent and design law in decades. If adopted as expected, they will significantly enhance the country’s IP landscape, providing greater clarity, competitiveness, and international alignment for rights holders and innovators. With public consultation slated for early 2026, stakeholders across industry, academia, legal practice and innovation sectors are closely watching the process to contribute to the debate and shape the final legislative outcome.

TANZANIA

·       New Ruling by the Tanzanian Court of Appeal Raises Questions Over IP Protection Under ARIPO

The recent ruling from Tanzania’s Court of Appeal in Lakairo Industries Group Co. Ltd & Others v. Kenafrica Industries Ltd & Others (Civil Appeal No. 593 of 2022 ) has cast uncertainty over the validity of ARIPO trade mark registrations that designate Tanzania.

The case, with the judgment delivered on 26 September 2025,  centered on whether a trade mark registered through the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) could be enforced in Tanzania without first being processed or re-registered through the local registry. While Tanzania is a signatory to the Lusaka Agreement (which established ARIPO) the Court’s decision suggests that regional registration alone may not automatically confer IP rights within the country.

Thus, this ruling calls to question one of the assumptions behind ARIPO’s centralized filing system which is that designating a member state would ensure protection across its territory. The decision could have significant implications for companies and brand owners who rely on ARIPO filings to secure protection in multiple African jurisdictions.

Practitioners await clarification from the Business Registrations and Licensing Agency (BRELA) and ARIPO on how Tanzania intends to implement this ruling. In the meantime, trade mark owners should consider filing directly with Tanzania’s national office to avoid any enforcement challenges.

GHANA

·       Ghana Accelerates IP Reforms: Digitalisation, SME Access & Continental Leadership

Ghana is embarking on a major overhaul of its intellectual property (IP) system, with reforms announced by the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General, Dr Dominic Ayine, during the 49th Session of the Administrative Council of African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), hosted in Accra in late 2025.

These reforms are aimed at making the IP process more transparent, efficient, and inclusive.  especially for entrepreneurs and SMEs. At the heart of the reforms is the roll-out of new online filing systems for trademarks, patents, and other IP rights. The digitised systems are expected to reduce processing times significantly, lower compliance costs, and ease the path for technology-based start-ups and SMEs to leverage IP as a business asset.

Concurrently, the government is undertaking a comprehensive review of its national IP policy. The scope goes beyond litigation and registration, it includes strengthening enforcement mechanisms, improving commercialization of IP assets, and expanding support through Technology and Innovation Support Centers.

For creators, innovators, startups, and investors, these developments signal a more welcoming and efficient IP environment. Speedier registrations, lower costs, improved clarity, and stronger institutional support make it easier to protect innovations and attract investment. For Ghana, the reforms represent a strategic push to anchor IP within its broader economic transformation agenda.

NIGERIA

·       Enhancing Strategies to Reduce Piracy

In a significant step toward strengthening copyright protection and tackling rampant piracy in Nigeria’s broadcasting sector, the Musical Copyright Society Nigeria Ltd/Gte (MCSN) and the Broadcast Organisation of Nigeria (BON) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in October 2025. This agreement reflects a shared commitment to improving the recognition and enforcement of rights under the Nigerian Copyright Act, and aims to balance the rights and obligations of broadcasters with the legitimate interests of creators, authors and rights owners.

Piracy has long been a major challenge in Nigeria. Illegal copying, unauthorised broadcast of music, films, and other copyrighted content undermines the livelihoods of creators and rights holders, disrupts established supply chains, and erodes revenue that would otherwise flow back to the cultural and creative economy. The MOU between MCSN and BON establishes a framework for more collaborative licensing practices and introduces a basis for fair and equitable royalty payments. By clarifying responsibilities, the parties hope to reduce disputes over licensing terms, improve compliance with existing law, and enhance the sustainability of Nigeria’s creative industries.

Complementing this agreement, Multichoice Nigeria has partnered with the Nigerian Copyright Commission on an anti-piracy awareness programme. This initiative focuses on sensitising the public, particularly young people about the real harms of piracy and the ethical and economic importance of respecting copyright.

Reducing piracy not only supports creators but also helps legitimize and grow the broader creative economy, which includes music, film, television, theatre and digital content. Concerted efforts such as the MCSN–BON MOU and the Multichoice-NCC sensitisation campaign signal a shift toward more strategic, cooperative approaches that combine regulatory compliance with public awareness.

·       Nigeria Enhances Plant Variety Protection with UPOV PRISMA Integration

Nigeria has taken a significant step to modernise its plant variety protection (PVP) framework by becoming the latest member of the UPOV PRISMA online filing platform. This development follows the country’s accession to the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) Convention on 27 March 2025, and positions Nigeria’s agricultural innovators to take full advantage of a globally recognised digital system for submitting and managing PVP applications.

The adoption of UPOV PRISMA, an internationally accessible digital filing tool marks a milestone in Nigeria’s agricultural innovation journey. The platform enables breeders to prepare and submit their applications for plant variety protection via a secure, transparent and efficient interface. By reducing paperwork, consolidating form generation, and offering multilingual support with reusable application data across jurisdictions, UPOV PRISMA helps simplify the complexities of securing intellectual property rights for new plant varieties.

Dr Folarin Sunday Okelola, Registrar of the Nigerian Plant Variety Protection Office at the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), noted the broad significance of the integration: “Nigeria’s integration into the UPOV PRISMA platform marks a major milestone in modernising our plant variety protection system. It will simplify application procedures, enhance transparency, and position Nigeria’s breeders to protect their innovations globally. This step reflects our commitment to a digital, efficient, and internationally aligned PVP framework.”

The move aligns with broader national priorities aimed at making Nigeria a leader in agricultural innovation and digital transformation under the vision of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. By streamlining plant breeder applications, expanding access to international markets, and reducing administrative hurdles, the integration supports breeders, researchers and investors in bringing improved varieties to Nigerian farmers more quickly and securely.

For breeders interested in filing through UPOV PRISMA from Nigeria, support and technical guidance are available from the Nigerian NASC PVP Office (technical@npvpo.ng) as well as directly through UPOV’s support channel (prisma@upov.int).  With this integration now in place, Nigeria joins a growing community of countries leveraging digital workflows to strengthen IP compliance and promote robust agricultural innovation ecosystems.

·       NIPPS Approved: Strengthening IP Protection and Commercialization in Nigeria

On Thursday, 6 November 2025, Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council formally approved the National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS), the country’s first unified and comprehensive framework designed to protect, manage and commercialize intellectual property rights nationwide. Developed with technical support from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the NIPPS represents a landmark step in Nigeria’s efforts to modernize its IP system and harness creativity and innovation for economic development.

The Policy is the result of a sustained collaborative process that began in 2020, involving the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, and the Ministry of Justice. Over 200 stakeholders from government agencies, the private sector, academia and civil society contributed to its development, ensuring that the strategy reflects broad national priorities. An important milestone in this process was the National Multi‑Stakeholder Workshop held in September 2022, co‑organized by the Federal Government and WIPO which validated the draft policy and helped shape its strategic direction.

According to an official statement from the State House, the NIPPS aims to create an integrated national system that connects innovators, creators and investors, enabling intellectual property to be converted into tangible financial assets. The broader objective is to position Nigeria as a regional hub for intellectual property and innovation leadership in West and Central Africa, strengthening the country’s competitiveness in the digital and knowledge economies.

The approval of the NIPPS is widely seen as a watershed moment for Nigeria’s IP landscape, coming at a time when innovation, digital transformation and creative industries are playing increasingly central roles in economic growth. By providing a clear, coordinated roadmap, the policy is expected to help rights holders, entrepreneurs and investors navigate the IP system more effectively, reduce legal uncertainty, and unlock new sources of economic value.

For innovators, creators and stakeholders in Nigeria’s creative, science and technology sectors, the NIPPS offers new opportunities to improve IP protection, attract investment and bring ideas to market. As implementation begins, stakeholders will be watching closely as the policy is translated into actionable programmes, regulations and institutional reforms that support Nigeria’s ambitions in the global innovation landscape.

EGYPT

·       Egypt Announces Broad Increase in IP Official Fees Across Patents, Plant Varieties, and Copyright

Egypt has introduced a broad adjustment of official fees across its intellectual property system, marking one of the most significant administrative updates in recent years. In October, the Egyptian Intellectual Property Authority (EGIPA) released a set of ministerial decisions revising the fees associated with the prosecution, registration, and maintenance of patents, plant varieties, and copyright. The changes took effect between 14 and 15 October 2025.

For patents, Ministerial Decision No. 138 of 2025 not only increases prevailing official fees but also introduces new charges for procedural steps that were previously unbilled. This reflects EGIPA’s effort to create a more comprehensive and sustainable cost framework aligned with the growing administrative demands of patent administration. Similarly, Decision No. 140 of 2025 establishes an entirely new fee schedule for plant varieties, providing greater structure and clarity for applicants as Egypt strengthens its plant variety protection regime. Copyright owners will also experience general increases under Decision No. 141 of 2025, affecting both registration and the ongoing maintenance of registered works.

These reforms are part of Egypt’s broader push toward modernising its IP infrastructure, improving operational efficiency, and aligning with regional and international best practices. As Egypt continues to expand digital platforms and streamline filing procedures, the revised fee structure is expected to enhance service delivery while supporting the long-term sustainability of the IP ecosystem.

CÔTE D’IVOIRE

·       Côte d’Ivoire Launches National IP Strategy to Drive Economic Growth

Côte d’Ivoire has taken a significant step toward strengthening its national innovation ecosystem by adopting a comprehensive National Intellectual Property (IP) Strategy, which was formally approved at a high-level workshop in Abidjan in August 2025. The strategy reflects a broader commitment by the Ivorian government to position intellectual property as a central pillar of economic transformation and competitiveness.

The newly adopted strategy is built on six strategic pillars designed to address both structural and cultural dimensions of IP development. These pillars include legislative reform to modernise and harmonise the legal framework, institutional capacity building to enhance the effectiveness of IP administration, and education and public awareness initiatives aimed at promoting a culture of innovation and respect for rights. Integrated within the strategy are also focused measures on anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy enforcement, the protection and promotion of traditional knowledge and cultural expressions, and robust support for innovation and the commercialisation of inventions across key sectors.

According to Dr Paul Assandé, Director General of the Ivorian Intellectual Property Office (OIPI), the government’s overarching goal is to ensure that IP functions as a true driver of socio-economic development. A key feature of the strategy is its focus on innovation infrastructure. The strategy also addresses the protection of traditional knowledge and cultural heritage, recognising them as important sources of value and identity.

The adoption of Côte d’Ivoire’s National IP Strategy signals a new era of deliberate and coordinated support for innovation, creativity and technological advancement. By aligning policy, enforcement, infrastructure and public engagement, the strategy provides a practical roadmap for mobilising all stakeholders; from government and academia to industry and civil society, around a shared vision of IP-driven growth.

OAPI

·       OAPI Launches OAPILEX: A New IP Jurisprudence Resource for Africa

The African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) has taken an important step toward greater transparency and public access to intellectual property (IP) information with the launch of OAPILEX, a new online jurisprudential database. Designed to be publicly accessible, OAPILEX represents an exciting development in the OAPI region’s efforts to support legal certainty and information sharing in intellectual property matters.

Although the database is still in its development phase and currently contains a limited volume of content, its long-term vision is ambitious. Once fully established, OAPILEX will provide a centralised repository where users can readily access a broad range of IP materials, including legal texts and the national IP laws of the 17 OAPI member states. It is also expected to include jurisprudence decisions handed down by national and regional courts, the OAPI Opposition Commission, and the Appeals Board, offering unparalleled insight into how IP laws are applied, contested, and interpreted across the region.

In addition to core OAPI legal sources, the platform features curated links to key third-party IP research and informational sites. These include AfrIPI (Intellectual Property Rights & Innovation in Africa), which provides analysis and commentary on African IP trends, and WIPO Lex, the World Intellectual Property Organization’s expansive legal database that offers access to IP laws and treaties from around the globe. Together, these resources make OAPILEX not only a repository of regional law and decisions, but also a gateway to a wider global IP information ecosystem.

To support ongoing improvements and rollout, the OAPI official website is currently being updated. In the interim, the OAPILEX platform can be accessed at http://siege.oapi.int:81/

The launch of OAPILEX aligns with broader continental efforts to improve transparency and harmonisation of IP systems. Across Africa, institutions such as the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), national IP offices, and regional economic communities are similarly investing in digital tools and databases that make legal texts, case law and administrative decisions more accessible to innovators and practitioners alike. This trend reflects growing recognition that information accessibility is a foundation for effective IP enforcement, dispute resolution, and public confidence in the system.

For creators, legal practitioners, businesses and researchers operating in OAPI member states and beyond, OAPILEX holds the promise of more predictable and informed engagement with intellectual property law. As the database develops, users can expect more comprehensive content and search functions, ultimately enhancing the role of OAPI as both a legal authority and an information hub in African IP governance.

LIBYA

·       Libyan Trademark Office Reinstates Local Attestation Requirement

The Libyan Trademark Office has reinstated an important procedural requirement affecting trademark filings and related documentation: local attestation of legalised documents by the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Under the updated requirement, powers of attorney and other official documents submitted in support of trademark applications, assignments, renewals or other trademark actions before the Libyan Trademark Office must now undergo dual legalisation. First, documents must be legalised at the appropriate Libyan Consulate abroad. Once brought into Libya, they must then be presented for local attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation before they will be accepted by the Trademark Office.

This reinstated procedure represents a return to stricter documentary controls, and applicants should be aware that it adds an additional step in the trademark process; one that can affect timing, logistics and costs associated with international filings or representation. The requirement applies to all legally‑valid instruments supporting trademark matters, including powers of attorney, court judgments, corporate certifications and other supporting exhibits that have been legalised abroad.

For rights‑holders, representatives and law firms working on Libyan trademark matters, it is important to factor this requirement into filing planning. Failure to comply with the local attestation requirement can result in delays in submission acceptance or processing, especially when deadlines are tight. Early engagement with local attestation channels and coordination with overseas legalisation offices will help streamline the overall process.