AFRIPI

AfrIPI created a pan-African case-law database on intellectual property rights under its 2021 annual work plan. This year, it will focus on maintaining the tool and continuously uploading new case-law on different IP rights.

Through this activity, AfrIPI aims to establish a network of judges in the ARIPO member and observer states. In the colloquium, the network will be proposed with the idea of sharing experiences and taking part in creating a case-law compendium.

In 2022, AfrIPI facilitated the organisation of a meeting between the European Business Council (EUBC) in Kenya and the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA). Both parties agreed that it was important to implement intellectual property (IP) protection in a manner that preserves the interests of the European Union business community while ensuring that Kenyan consumers are protected.

The ARIPO Member States need support to provide quality intellectual property services to their users and the business community while ensuring adequate enforcement of intellectual property rights.

This activity aims to continue creating a solid network within the ARIPO Member States. In addition, the activity acknowledges the pivotal position of the national IP offices, which act institutionally as focal points of the AfrIPI project to inject political influence into the annual work plan activities.

Kilichi du Niger was registered as a geographical indication (GI) in the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) system in August 2021. As a famous GI, it is envisaged that it will be registered in the European Union (EU) system. This will give it legal recognition to fight the increases in its misuse.

As a result of EUIPO strengthening relationship with the Egyptian Trademarks and Industrial Designs Office (TIDO), a technical workshop on tools and practices took place from 7 to 9 February 2023 in Cairo, Egypt, for the North Africa region and Türkiye.

As well as TIDO, the Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property and the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office participated in the workshop. It aimed to promote the European Union Intellectual Property Network’s tools and practices, as well as define new joint milestones.

From 17 to 21 October 2022, four examiners from the African Organization of Intellectual Property (OAPI) attended a five-day study visit at the European Patent Office (EPO). The course, organised by EPO in cooperation with AfrIPI, was part of an extensive competency-based training programme which began in August 2021 and was customised especially for the OAPI. The programme itself included a blend of onsite and virtual classroom training, online courses, and on-the-job coaching.

The first EU-Niger Business Forum was held in Niamey, Niger, from 7-8 February 2023 at the Mahatma Gandhi International Conference Centre.

The EU-Niger Business Forum aims to enhance quality investments, make Niger more appealing to private investors and fortify ties between the EU and Niger. The Forum was the most significant business gathering in Niger’s economic history. It was held in honour of the financiers, bankers, and government representatives who support Niger's economic growth and development.

A roundtable on the role of geographical indications (GIs) in sustainable development was organised on 7 February 2023 by the French Development Agency (AFD) and the French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM). The topic ‘what lessons can be learned to improve the contribution of projects to sustainable development?’ was addressed.

On 24 January 2023, in collaboration with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) Academy, the Africa IP SME Helpdesk is organising a webinar on business-smart IP enforcement strategies for Africa.

This webinar will outline the key facts and regional dynamics that shape IP enforcement landscapes across Africa, focusing on the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) regional IP frameworks that together cover 39 African countries.

The AfrIPI Annual Project Steering Committee held its third meeting on 19 December 2022. During the meeting, stakeholders reviewed the main success criteria and dimensions in the technical help that the project offered. They also appraised activities that took place throughout the year and the action plan for 2023. In addition to bolstering national and regional IP institutions and advancing EU-African efforts, the second annual work plan evaluation was based on the impact of the activities, and the long-term benefits accrued for all stakeholders.