Africa Update 2020 – Malawi

The Launch of the National Intellectual Property Policy

Malawi launched the National Intellectual Property Policy in May 2019. The Policy forms part of the government's Growth and Development Strategy III, which has identified industrialisation and the structural transformation of the economy as a key priority area, essential to maintaining long-term growth and economic development. The Policy acknowledges that IP has effectively been sidelined from the national development agenda since Malawi's independence, recognising IP as a catalyst for technological advancement, economic growth, and national development, while provides a framework to foster the generation, protection and exploitation of IP.