Nairobi to Host Pan-African Summit on Harmonising Intellectual Property Policies in November 2026

Nairobi is set to host the seventh All African Intellectual Property Summit from November 11 to 13, 2026, focusing on harmonising intellectual property (IP) policies across African nations. The summit will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders including policymakers, creators, researchers, innovators, and businesses to deliberate on implementing a continental IP framework.

Sand Mba-Kalu, Chairman of the All African Intellectual Property Summit Committee, highlighted that the event will provide a critical platform for African countries to align their national IP policies with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) intellectual property protocol. Adopted by African Union heads of state in February 2026, this protocol aims to create a unified approach to IP protection and commercialisation across the continent.

"Whatever national policy you are putting in place must align with the continental framework," Mba-Kalu stated, underscoring the importance of policy coherence to ensure that intellectual property created in one African country can be effectively protected and commercially exploited throughout Africa.

The summit is organised in partnership with the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) and the AfCFTA Secretariat, reflecting a collaborative effort to advance the continent’s IP agenda. Sharon Wata, Deputy Executive Director of KECOBO, noted that fragmented laws and policies across African countries currently limit creators’ ability to access markets beyond their home countries.

She emphasised that the Nairobi meeting will focus on policy harmonisation, commercialisation strategies, and addressing common challenges faced by Africa’s creative and innovation sectors. "Kenya is hosting, but it is not a Kenyan summit. It is an Africa summit," Wata affirmed.

The discussions at the summit will span multiple sectors including music, film, technology, patents, traditional knowledge, and cultural expressions. Organisers aim to strengthen the link between intellectual property protection and economic development, recognising IP as a driver of jobs, investment, and wealth creation.

Mba-Kalu stressed that building a single African market is contingent upon ensuring that ownership of intellectual property remains with Africans. The summit will also explore avenues for creators to access new markets and investment opportunities while safeguarding their rights across borders.

Organisers believe that closer policy coordination will enable African creators and businesses to commercialise their intellectual property continent-wide, reducing the loss of economic value from African innovations and creative works. This approach is expected to generate significant economic benefits and foster sustainable development across Africa.

The Nairobi summit represents a pivotal step towards realising a cohesive intellectual property regime that supports the continent’s broader economic integration under AfCFTA. By harmonising IP policies, Africa aims to empower its creators and innovators to fully capitalise on their contributions to the continent’s cultural and technological advancement.