Category Africa

Africa Needs To Know What It Can Trade As A Continent, Speaker Says At E-Commerce Week

A number of African countries just joined the newly established African Continental Free Trade Area. However, e-commerce remains very marginal on the continent, which is struggling to keep up and reap the benefits of this booming business platform. During a panel of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development E-Commerce Week, an African entrepreneur gave his vision of what is hindering Africa's e-commerce development, including the lack of awareness of what Africa has to trade.

IPRs Seen To Impact Climate Change Technology Transfer In Africa

NAIROBI, Kenya -- With high vulnerability to adverse effects of climate change, African countries are keen to develop, acquire and disseminate technologies for mitigation and adaptation.

Fairness In Research Partnerships, Reporting System Presented At Geneva Health Forum

Research collaborations between institutions in the North and institutions in the South often show a scientific and power imbalance. In the context of growing concerns about this issue, initiatives are being developed to increase fairness in research partnerships. In particular, the Research Fairness Initiative, providing a reporting system for institutions is gaining traction, according to speakers at the Geneva Health Forum this week.

Zimbabwe Establishes An Intellectual Property Tribunal, As A Special Division Of High Court

KAMPALA, Uganda -- In what is seen as a significant achievement in the making of history of intellectual property law, the Government of Zimbabwe has instituted and operationalised an Intellectual Property Tribunal, with the mandate to speedily preside over all IP matters, disputes, infringements, passing off and other related issues. The Tribunal recently heard its first case. [A reminder to readers: All IP-Watch stories are totally free for least-developed countries and almost all developing countries. Just sign up for a password under Subscribe.]

Call For Applications – African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative

Are you an African woman entrepreneur seeking to advance your leadership, strategy, and business management skills? Are you interested in connecting with other women business owners from across the continent and being coached by a mentor?

New Local Pharmaceutical Plant Expected To Enhance Access To Drugs In Kenya

Kenya’s pharmaceutical products manufacturing sector is hopeful it will experience significant growth after the Square Pharmaceuticals ltd (SPL) of Bangladesh commissioned a US$ 75 million plant in the East African nation this week. [A reminder: this story, like all of our stories, is completely free for almost every developing country in the world. Just sign up for a free password here!]

WIPO Respect For IP Conference To Be Held This Year In South Africa

In 2018, the World Intellectual Property Organization and other major international organisations are planning the second international conference on "Respect for IP," referring to raising awareness of and building strategies for enforcement of intellectual property, this time in South Africa.

South Africa’s Push For Knowledge-Based Economy Through IP

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – “If you want to create a knowledge-based economy and be part of it, be players not observers. There isn’t a stronger backbone than having an understanding of what IP is.” This statement was made by Mmboneni Muofhe, Department of Science and Technology (DST) deputy director general for technology and innovation, at the ninth Intellectual Property Summer School held at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in December. The meeting brought together students, lawyers, scientists and different professionals drawn from Africa and other parts of the developing world for a ten-day intensive programme in intellectual property.

ARIPO Adopts Plant Variety Regulations, As Farmers Advocacy Groups Raise Concern

KAMPALA, Uganda -- The Forty-first Session of the Administrative Council of African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) held this month adopted the Regulations for the Implementation of the Arusha Protocol for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants, amidst protest from civil society organisations and farmer representatives.