African Summit in Nairobi to Elevate Intellectual Property as Catalyst for Trade and Innovation

Intellectual property experts and key stakeholders from African countries are set to gather in Nairobi, Kenya, for a landmark summit aimed at positioning intellectual property (IP) as a major driver of trade, industrialisation, and creative economy growth across the continent.

The summit, themed “Mainstreaming Intellectual Property for Africa’s Trade, Industrial and Creative Economy Transformation,” will bring together policymakers, IP specialists, innovators, entrepreneurs, legal practitioners, academics, investors, development partners, and industry leaders from Africa and beyond.

Sand Mba-Kalu, chairman of the organising committee, emphasized that the summit will focus on integrating intellectual property into Africa’s trade systems, industrial policies, innovation ecosystems, and creative industries. This integration will be pursued within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to boost intra-African trade and economic development.

Since its inception, the summit has evolved into one of Africa’s premier platforms for shaping policy discussions around intellectual property, innovation, and enterprise competitiveness. Past editions have addressed challenges related to IP protection, innovation barriers, and the role of IP in sustainable development and inclusive economic growth.

The 2026 edition is expected to pivot from policy dialogue to actionable implementation strategies. The goal is to unlock the commercial value embedded in Africa’s intellectual assets, thereby catalysing economic transformation.

Organisers highlighted that the 7th summit will explore pathways to strengthen technology transfer, enterprise development, regional cooperation, and investment opportunities linked to intellectual property.

Scheduled for November 11 to 13, 2026, the three-day event will feature a comprehensive agenda including policy dialogues, expert panel discussions, technical sessions, exhibitions, innovation showcases, research presentations, and networking opportunities.

The summit will also provide a platform for innovators, creators, researchers, and businesses to exhibit technologies, products, and creative works to investors, policymakers, and market stakeholders.

Expected participants include government agencies, intellectual property offices, universities, law firms, research institutions, technology hubs, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), development organisations, regional economic communities, and international partners.

The Summit Secretariat has announced that registration, exhibition, and partnership opportunities are now open. Stakeholders across sectors have been invited to participate in this continental gathering aimed at harnessing intellectual property for Africa’s economic advancement.

This initiative aligns with broader efforts to empower African tech startups and creative industries by addressing asymmetries in the global technology race and advocating for financing of the creative economy as a substantial business sector.

By focusing on practical implementation and cross-sector collaboration, the summit seeks to transform intellectual property from a policy concept into a tangible economic powerhouse for Africa’s future.