Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), hand sanitisers and other disinfectants are global shortage due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

An apple plant variety (HFF63) developed by a University in Japan, and marketed under the name ‘KIMITO', is to be cultivated in South Africa before the end of 2024.

The IP strategy is structured around six key pillars: legislative reform, institutional capacity building, education and public awareness, anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy measures, protection and promotion of traditional knowledge, and support for innovation and the commercialization of inventions.

The Senate has adopted a draft law establishing the Congolese Industrial Property Office.

From 13 May 2024, the Registrar General in Ghana will use and accept the terms from the harmonised database of goods and services (HDB) in TMclass.

The Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition comprised of members of the South African National Assembly held a meeting on 22 October 2024 discussing...

In a notice published on its website, PACRA (the Zambian Patents and Companies Registration Agency) announced that, effective 1 July 2025, it would implement online applications for all new trade mark applications.

Thursday, 1 February 2024, saw the Ministry of Economy and Trade introducing its electronic advertising system for trade marks. Senior officials from the Ministry...

In a court case, one might think that it will be helpful for an expert witness to give evidence where he or she believes that an invention is inventive (and hence patentable).

Lesotho's recent adoption of a National IP Policy (2025) and a Research and Innovation Policy (2021) reflects a broader strategy to build a knowledge-based economy and expand global trade, particularly in sectors like textiles, water, and agriculture. Between 2019 and 2023, Lesotho processed over 2,500 trademark applications and 1,300 patent and design filings through ARIPO, signalling growing international interest in its IP environment.

A ceremony to launch the third series of round tables on the establishment of collaborative work platforms between universities and research centers in OAPI member states was held on 16 June 2022.

On 11 August 2025 the Companies and intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) announced that the application process for the re-instatement of companies and close corporations...

As of 1 January 2026, South Africa has implemented the 13th Edition of the Nice Classification.

The Registrar General of Intellectual Property in Sudan has recently announced a change in the prosecution of trade marks in Sudan.

After almost a year of disruption due to civil unrest, the Sudan Trade marks Office resumed operations on 11 February 2024. The office has also temporarily...

The Saponé Hat, dating back to the 13th‎‎ century, is produced by Burkino Faso's Saponé community and is integrated as part of their cultural and historical identity.‎

On 4 August 2025, the Johannesburg High Court handed down a comprehensive judgment in Wings Travel Management (Pty) Ltd v Satguru Travels (Pty) Ltd t/a Travelwings...

A workshop, facilitated by the EUIPO, was held in Seychelles in pursuit of recognition of Seychelles' honey as a Geographical Indicator.

During May 2019, we travelled to both Windhoek and Walvis Bay to conduct Brand Identification Training with officials of the Namibian Ministry of Finance, Department of Customs and Excise.

OAPI in collaboration with the Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation in Africa (AfrIPI) project and the Project to Support the Implementation of Geographical Indications (GI)...