Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)
The promotion and protection of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) are central to achieving the AfCFTA objectives. The Committee on Intellectual Property Rights was established in May 2021 by the Council of Ministers of Trade and State Parties to facilitate the negotiation of the Protocol on IPRs. At its first meeting in September 2021, the Committee adopted its Terms of Reference and the Modalities for Negotiating the Protocol on IPRs. The Committee also held capacity-building activities on various critical issues related to IPRs in preparation for the negotiations and development of the AfCFTA Protocol on IPRs.
The Committee on Intellectual Property Rights by the Council of Ministers – comprising all State Parties – is responsible for facilitating the negotiations of the Protocol on IPRs.
In September 2021, during its first meeting, the Committee adopted its Terms of Reference and the Modalities for Negotiating the Protocol on IPRs. The Committee also decided to hold capacity building activities on a wide range of critical issues related to IPRs in preparation for the negotiations and development of the AfCFTA Protocol on IPRs.
