Reimagining harmonisation: A roadmap to IP integration under the AfCFTA
Reimagining harmonisation: A roadmap to IP integration under the AfCFTA
Author Victoria Chigozirim Onyeagbako
ISSN: 2521-2591
Affiliations: Herchel Smith Doctoral Researcher, Queen Mary University of London and Founder of My Intellectual Property Law Guide (MIPLG)
Source: South African Intellectual Property Law Journal, 2025, p. 158-183
https://doi.org/10.47348/SAIPL/v13/i2a8
Abstract
Africa is rising to the occasion of global economic relevance, flying the vision of the African renaissance. The continent potentially hosts the largest free trade area (FTA) in the world, striving to create a common market across 54 of the 55 countries of the African Union (AU). Although healing from the burns of colonial exploitations, Africa has impressively risen to the occasion of IP development, mapping a blueprint for her transformation — Agenda 2063. This paper studies the vision for, and aspirations of, Agenda 2063. It discusses regional integration strategies, with a focus on harmonisation, and seeks to determine the AU’s vision for IP integration. Adopting a doctrinal approach, the paper addresses the questions — ‘what is the AU’s intention for integration under the AfCFTA’, ‘what integration strategy supports an effective regional IP system under the AfCFTA’ and ‘how can the AU achieve workable harmonisation’ to achieve Agenda 2063. In addressing these, this paper conducts a historical trace of the AU’s journey to Agenda 2063 and the AfCFTA, and underscores the strengths and weaknesses of IP integration models, particularly harmonisation. Recommendations for workable harmonisation and IP integration under the AfCFTA are proffered, a hybrid model of IP integration is suggested alongside a ‘ten for ten’ roadmap to achieve this workable harmonisation.