ArticleMalawian Delegation Visits ARIPO OfficeOn 15 April 2025, a distinguished delegation of Malawian officials visited ARIPO's office in Harare, Zimbabwe.MalawiIntellectual PropertyAdams & Adams
ArticleHarare Protocol Enters Into ForceMauritius has amended its Industrial Property Act to incorporate the Harare Protocol on Patents, Utility Models and Industrial Designs into domestic law, following its accession to the treaty in May 2025. The amendments establish legal recognition for intellectual property rights granted through the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) system, giving them the same effect as nationally granted rights. This legislative change represents a significant development in regional IP protectioMauritiusIntellectual Property
ArticleMauritius Joins ARIPOOn 27 May 2025, the Republic of Mauritius deposited its Instrument of Accession to the Harare Protocol on Patents, Utility Models, and Industrial Designs...MauritiusIntellectual PropertyAdams & Adams
ArticleMorocco Launches Electronic Companies PlatformMorocco has effectively rolled out a national electronic platform that offers a single interface for local company creation and procedures.MoroccoCorporate/Commercial LawAdams & Adams
ArticleMemorandum Of Understanding With The European Patent Office Of The Cooperative Patent ClassificationFollowing a meeting between the Director-General of the Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property (OMPIC) and the President of European Patent Office (EPO)...MoroccoIntellectual PropertyAdams & Adams
ArticleMorocco Leads The Pack In African Geographical IndicationsAs recently reported, Morocco presently boasts the largest number of Geographical Indications (GIs) in Africa with 68 so-called ‘sui generis' GIs recorded. This is followed distantly by South Africa...MoroccoIntellectual PropertyAdams & Adams
ArticleMorocco Takes Steps To Protect Its Cultural HeritageOn 23 April 2024, Morocco's Culture Minister, Mehdi Bensaid, met in Geneva with the Director-General of WIPO, Darren Tang, with a view to discuss ways in which Morocco can protect its cultural heritage...MoroccoIntellectual PropertyAdams & Adams
ArticleRegistration And Renewal Certificates Now Issued ElectronicallyThe Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property has announced that as of 28 May 2018, it will only issue electronic trade mark registration and renewal certificates, with the OMPIC stamp. MoroccoIntellectual PropertyAdams & Adams
ArticleWIPO Director General Launch A Joint Master's Degree Program On IP And Innovation In MoroccoWIPO has extended its collaboration with Morocco to include a joint master's degree program on IP and Innovation.MoroccoIntellectual PropertyAdams & Adams
ArticleMozambican Designations Under Aripo Applications Will Be Possible From 15 August 2020On 19 September 2017, the Council of Ministers of Mozambique acceded to the Banjul Agreement. Mozambique has now deposited its Instrument of Accession on 15 May 2020, and the provisions of the Banjul Protocol...MozambiqueIntellectual PropertyAdams & Adams
ArticleThe Mozambique Industrial Property Institute (IPI) Appoints Ms. Sheila Canda As The New Director GeneralThe Mozambique Industrial Property Institute (IPI) recently appointed Ms Sheila Canda as the new Director General. Ms Canda replaces the recently retired Mr. Meque who held the position of DirectorMozambiqueIntellectual PropertyAdams & Adams
ArticleCorporate Law ReformsEarlier this year, Namibia introduced the Corporate Law Reform Bill, which seeks to overhaul and modernise outdated statutory instruments. The deadline for public comment has been extended and interested parties...NamibiaCorporate/Commercial LawAdams & Adams
ArticleNamibia’s AI Crop Deal Sharpens Focus On Procurement And Data GovernanceNamibia's abrupt termination of a US$2.4 million AI-powered crop monitoring contract with an American agritech firm reveals the growing complexity of public-sector technology procurement in agriculture. While the proposed system promised advanced satellite imagery, geospatial analytics, and complete IP transfer to the government, it failed to meet essential legal and procedural standards for government contracting. The case demonstrates that technical sophistication and favorable ownership terms alone cannoNamibiaGovernment, Public SectorAdams & Adams
ArticleNamibia Modifies IP Filing Fee StructureNamibia's Business and Intellectual Property Authority has restructured its fee payment system for intellectual property applications, consolidating multiple fees into a single upfront payment. The amendments affect trade marks, patents, and industrial designs, requiring applicants to pay more at the time of filing while maintaining the same total official costs. These regulatory changes represent a significant shift in how IP filing fees are administered in Namibia. NamibiaIntellectual PropertyAdams & Adams
ArticleDigital Transformation At Namibia Revenue AuthorityThe Namibia Revenue Agency, NAMRA, has set a goal of reaching full digitisation within the next 4 years. This will eliminate the need for customers to seek in-person consultations and will allow NAMRA to become paperless.NamibiaTechnologyAdams & Adams
ArticleNiger Accedes To The Marrakesh TreatyThe Republic of Niger has taken a significant step in intellectual property law by acceding to the Marrakesh Treaty, joining other African Intellectual Property Organization member states in this commitment. This development will enable improved access to published works for persons with print disabilities through the creation and international exchange of accessible format copies. NigerIntellectual PropertyAdams & Adams
ArticleBiotech Star Stuck In Court Over Who Controls Its Most Valuable AssetEarly in August 2025, a Federal High Court in Lagos stopped the asset sale of biotech star, 54gene, which included the biodata of 100 000 Nigerians. NigeriaCorporate/Commercial LawAdams & Adams
ArticleGovernment Initiates Measures To Enhance Economy Via Foreign Direct InvestmentAmbassador Nura Abba Rimi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, has emphasized the government's commitment to enhancing the Nigerian economy...NigeriaGovernment, Public SectorAdams & Adams
ArticleBabcock University Hosts AI And IP Commercialisation SummitBabcock 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.NigeriaIntellectual PropertyAdams & Adams
ArticleCopyright Bill Passed By SenateOn 6 April 2022, the Senate in Nigeria passed the Copyright Bill,which aims to ensure that copyright laws in Nigeria will be in line with best practices in respect of the regulation, protection and administration of copyright...NigeriaIntellectual PropertyAdams & Adams