News & Insights
Proposed GI Bill to Boost Protection of Kenyan Products
Kenya proposes Geographical Indications Bill to protect local products Additional Topics PROPOSED GI BILL TO BOOST PROTECTION OF KENYAN PRODUCTS Kenya is preparing to introduce a Geographical Indications Bill (GIB) to protect locally produced goods and enhance their competitiveness in international markets. Expected to be tabled before mid 2026, the Bill aims to prevent imitation […]
May 27 2026
Kenya Introduces New Copyright Bill
Kenya moves to modernise its copyright framework with proposed legislative reform Important Topics KENYA INTRODUCES NEW COPYRIGHT BILL Kenya has published the Copyright and Related Rights Bill, 2026, marking the first major overhaul of its copyright regime since 2001. Released by Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) for public consultation in March 2026, the Bill aims to […]
May 27 2026
Court Upholds Plant Variety Protection
Additional Topics: Egyptian court upholds plant variety protection for proprietary grape cultivar COURT UPHOLDS PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION On 14 March 2026, the Egyptian Administrative Court ruled in favour of Sun World International, upholding the validity and enforceability of plant variety protection for its seedless grape variety Sugrathirteen (marketed as Midnight Beauty). The Court dismissed an […]
May 27 2026
South Sudan considers ARIPO accession
Important Topics ARIPO – SOUTH SUDAN ENGAGEMENT ON IP FRAMEWORK DEVELOPMENT The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) hosted a high‑level delegation from South Sudan at its Headquarters from 13–14 April 2026, marking a further deepening of engagement following ARIPO’s high‑level visit to South Sudan in June 2025. Discussions centred on the strategic role of […]
May 27 2026
No Second Bite at Arbitration: The Force of Public-Sector JBCC Substitutions
Construction adjudication is often treated as interim, with arbitration or litigation waiting as the final forum. In a judgement delivered by the Eastern Cape Division, Makhanda on 30 April 2026, Krüger AJ warned that this assumption is only as good as the contract: adjudication is as provisional, revisable, or arbitral as the agreement provides. Where […]
May 19 2026
The Certificate of Need Scheme struck down: Constitutional Court confirms invalidity of Sections 36 to 40 of the National Health Act
Introduction On 18 May 2026, the Constitutional Court handed down a unanimous judgment in Solidarity Trade Union and Others v Minister of Health and Others, confirming the order of constitutional invalidity made by the Pretoria High Court. The matter concerned the constitutionality of sections 36 to 40 of the National Health Act 61 of 2003, […]
May 19 2026
Kyk gou wat doen 'n blazer! From TikTok to Trademarks: Can a viral trend give you trade mark rights overnight?
South Africans can’t stop saying it: “kyk wat doen ’n blazer”! What started as a single video has turned into a nationwide trend — and potentially something far more valuable: a commercial asset. Goodwill and reputation are invaluable assets in a business. They are known as the forces that attract custom, the things that make […]
May 15 2026
Tanzania’s US$274 million fuel storage expansion strengthens logistics backbone
Tanzania’s expansion of fuel storage capacity at Dar es Salaam port is set to improve supply reliability for transport operators across East Africa, addressing long-standing bottlenecks in fuel distribution. The US$274 million project, launched in April, is expected to reduce tanker delays and enhance efficiency along key trucking corridors linking Tanzania to Zambia and the […]
May 14 2026
Used vehicle imports continue to dominate consumer automotive demand
Affordability remains the defining factor in African automotive markets, with used-vehicle imports continuing to dominate demand in countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa throughout February-March. In Kenya, used imports account for most registrations, while Nigeria’s reliance on imported vehicles reinforces similar dynamics. This is compounded by the limited availability of affordable credit, with […]
May 14 2026
Dangote’s 1,000+ CNG truck order signals freight market transformation
Dangote Group’s move to secure over 1,000 trucks and trailers powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) from a Chinese manufacturer marks a pivotal shift in Nigeria’s freight economics. Announced in April, the order reflects mounting pressure to reduce diesel costs and improve logistics efficiency across Nigeria’s industrial value chains. The scale of the industrial conglomerate’s […]
May 14 2026
AfCFTA rules of origin reshape automotive production and trade strategies
Manufacturers operating across Africa are increasingly aligning production strategies with AfCFTA Rules of Origin, which require defined local content thresholds to access tariff benefits across more than 50 participating countries. Since their rollout in February, these rules have begun shaping decisions in established hubs such as Morocco and South Africa, while encouraging supplier development in […]
May 14 2026
EV financing models enable fleet-led adoption in Kenya and South Africa
Financing-led adoption is emerging as the primary driver of EV uptake in African markets, particularly within commercial fleet segments. Operators such as BasiGo in Nairobi are using leasing and pay-as-you-drive models to overcome high upfront costs, accelerating deployment in Kenya and South Africa during February-March. In Kenya, this has been particularly evident in bus and […]
May 14 2026
Bus electrification gains early traction in Cape Town’s public transport system
Cape Town’s move toward electrifying its public transport fleet highlights growing momentum in urban mobility transformation. A research programme launched with the University of Cape Town in February is laying the groundwork for electric bus deployment, positioning the city as an early adopter in Africa. The initiative is expected to inform procurement strategies for MyCiTi […]
May 14 2026
Rail investment expands to support regional logistics and industrial mobility
Large-scale rail investments are reshaping regional logistics networks, complementing road-based mobility systems across Africa. Projects such as Kenya’s US$943 million SGR extension, Algeria’s 950km railway, and the DRC’s push for US$1 billion in Lobito Corridor financing gained traction across March-April. These developments improve connectivity between production hubs and export corridors, reducing pressure on road freight […]
May 14 2026
Nigeria’s EV policy framework establishes structured market entry pathways
Policy developments in Nigeria are beginning to formalise the electric vehicle (EV) market, with the Electric Vehicle Bill and National Land Transport Policy laying the groundwork for coordinated adoption. Introduced in February, these frameworks aim to standardise licensing, infrastructure rollout, and incentives in major urban centres, such as Lagos and Abuja. Early signals suggest that […]
May 14 2026
Chinese OEM expansion accelerates with Chery anchoring South Africa strategy
Chinese manufacturers such as Chery and BYD are rapidly deepening their presence in South Africa through a combination of new brand launches, dealership expansion, and potential access to existing manufacturing capacity, including the Mercedes-Benz plant in East London (KuGompo City). In April, Chery confirmed plans to introduce its iCar (iCaur) brand to South Africa, building […]
May 14 2026
Other notable stories May 2026
Morocco-France electric freight corridor advances cross-border logistics Morocco is positioning itself as a key logistics bridge between Africa and Europe through plans to establish heavy-duty electric truck corridors linking it with France. Progress in April highlights growing interest in decarbonised freight routes and the potential for integrated cross-border supply chains. This places the country as […]
May 14 2026
Strategic litigation decisions and prescription: a cautionary tale
Facts On 10 April 2016, the Plaintiff was admitted to a private hospital complaining of pain in her left knee. Unbeknown to anyone at the time, the Plaintiff had suffered a ruptured aneurysm in her popliteal artery, resulting in limited blood flow to her lower left leg. The rupture went untreated for a critical period, […]
May 13 2026