News & Insights
Zambia Publishes Long Awaited Patent Regulations
Zambia strengthens its patent framework with new regulations Important Topics ZAMBIA PUBLISHES LONG AWAITED PATENT REGULATIONS Zambia has recently published the long-awaited Regulations under The Patents Act, 2016 (Act No. 40 of 2016), introducing procedural and administrative updates aimed at modernising the country’s intellectual property framework. Previously, the new Act (2016) was read together with […]
May 27 2026
Uganda Passes Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Amendment Bill
Uganda advances copyright reform with stronger protections for creators and rights holders Important Topics UGANDA PASSES COPYRIGHT AND NEIGHBOURING RIGHTS AMENDMENT BILL Uganda’s Parliament has passed the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2025, modernising the country’s copyright framework to address digital developments and strengthen protection for creators and neighbouring rights holders. Approved in March […]
May 27 2026
Tunisia Strengthens its Role in AFCTA and OAPI Integration
Tunisia pushes for deeper AfCFTA integration and OAPI alignment Important Topics TUNISIA STRENGTHENS ITS ROLE IN AFCFTA AND OAPI INTEGRATION At the 9th Extraordinary Meeting of COMESA Trade Ministers on 2 April 2026, Tunisia’s Minister of Trade and Export Development, Samir Abid, called for the accelerated signing and ratification of the OAPI agreement, proposing that […]
May 27 2026
Authorities Seize Counterfeit Goods Worth Millions
South Africa intensifies enforcement against counterfeit trade Additional Topics: AUTHORITIES SEIZE COUNTERFEIT GOODS WORTH MILLIONS South African authorities seized counterfeit goods worth over R5 million (approximately USD 303,500) during a two day enforcement operation in April 2026 in Bloemfontein’s central business district, confiscating more than 6,000 items including clothing, accessories, pharmaceuticals and other consumables. The […]
May 27 2026
South Africa: Zentia Trading v Eva Last Distributors – Design Rights Revoked
High Court decision underscores the strict novelty requirements for registered designs under South African law. Important Topics SOUTH AFRICA: ZENTIA TRADING V EVA LAST DISTRIBUTORS – DESIGN RIGHTS REVOKED In Zentia Trading (Pty) Ltd v Eva Last Distributors (Pty) Ltd, the High Court revoked 16 registered designs relating to arched deck boards after finding that […]
May 27 2026
OGAPI Intensifies Trade Name Enforcement in Nkok Zone
Additional Topics: Gabon is reinforcing trade name protection through targeted enforcement measures OGAPI INTENSIFIES TRADE NAME ENFORCEMENT IN NKOK ZONE From 1 to 10 April 2026, the Gabonese Industrial Property Office (OGAPI) carried out a compliance and awareness campaign in the Nkok Special Investment Zone, covering nearly 28 businesses and focusing on the legal availability […]
May 27 2026
OAPI–INPI France: 20th Joint Commission Strengthens IP Cooperation
OAPI continues to deepen regional and international cooperation, reinforcing its role in strengthening IP protection across Francophone Africa. Important Topics OAPI–INPI FRANCE: 20TH JOINT COMMISSION STRENGTHENS IP COOPERATION The 20th Joint Commission between the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) and the French National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI France) was held on 1 April 2026 […]
May 27 2026
Babcock University Hosts AI and IP Commercialisation Summit
Nigeria strengthening its innovation ecosystem through AI driven research and IP commercialisation Important Topics BABCOCK UNIVERSITY HOSTS AI AND IP COMMERCIALISATION SUMMIT Babcock University hosted the AI & Babcock Innovation Venture (BIV) Commercialisation Summit 2026 on 21–22 April 2026 convening global leaders to accelerate AI driven innovation in Africa. The summit focused on turning academic […]
May 27 2026
Liberia Waives IP Fees for the Sports Sector
Recent developments in Liberia highlight targeted measures to strengthen IP protection and commercialisation in the sports sector. Important Topics LIBERIA WAIVES IP FEES FOR THE SPORTS SECTOR The Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO), has introduced a one month waiver of administrative fees for IP registrations by sports stakeholders, with immediate effect. The initiative aims to […]
May 27 2026
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