CALL FOR PAPERS! 2024 All Africa Intellectual Property Summit

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The call for papers is open for the 5th Annual Africa Intellectual Property Rights Summit (Africa IP Summit) under the theme: Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs): The Catalyst for Sustainable Development Goals in Africa, holding November 28-30, 2024, in Kigali, Rwanda. Why don’t you submit an abstract?

Introduction:
The All Africa IP Summit 2024 is currently accepting abstract
submissions for the upcoming summit. The summit will be an in-person conference with a
diverse audience, featuring high-level panel discussions and breakout sessions. Participants will
include industry personnel, professionals, academics, civil society representatives,
policymakers, investors, creatives, IP practitioners, and business and trade membership
organizations from across Africa and beyond.

We invite researchers, academics, development practitioners, scientists, investors and
professionals whose work intersects with Intellectual Property to submit the abstract of their
original work for consideration. This summit aims to frame and address the growth of Intellectual
Property in Africa; the development gap and Intellectual Property’s role in advancing the
Sustainable Development Goals from critical African perspectives.

Summit Thematic Areas:
We welcome submissions on a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:
● Tech-Powered Learning: Closing Africa’s Education Gap (SDG 4).
● IP as a collateral for innovation development in the African context (SDG9).
● Promoting small businesses in Africa through IPR commercialization (SDG 5, 8 & 11).
● Wealth generation through trade secrets, traditional knowledge, and know-how (SDG 14
& SDG 15).
● Fostering Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure through Patent Protection (SDG 9).
● Digital Innovation: Copyright’s Role in Promoting Technological Advancement (SDG 9)
● How can IP work for Africa? What can we do differently to drive change in Africa?
(SDG1- 3 & 6)
● Promoting Economic Growth and Decent Work through trademark protection (SDG 8).
● Building partnership around African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement
Intellectual Property Protocol – strategically mobilizing African inventors and
stakeholders? (SDG 17)
● Supporting the protection of industrial designs to encourage creativity and innovation
(SDG 9).
● Promoting inclusive IP policies that support underrepresented groups and foster a
diverse and equitable innovation ecosystem (SDG 10).
● Protecting geographical indications to enhance the economic viability of traditional
products, supporting local communities, and preserving cultural heritage. (SDG 5, 12 &
16)
● African-led Decarbonization: Promoting and Protecting Home grown Solutions for Global
Decarbonization (SDGs 7, 11 – 15).
● The WIPO Treaty on Traditional Knowledge, Traditional Cultural Expressions and
Genetic Resources: Implications – Implications and Opportunities for Africa.
Submission Guidelines: Please adhere to the following guidelines when preparing your
submission:

Submission Guidelines:

Please adhere to the following guidelines while preparing your submission:
● The Abstract and paper must be in English
● The abstract (200 -300 words count) should be submitted along with the title of the
paper, the author’s name, the name of the author’s institution, the author’s email, and
telephone number, etc.
● The abstract should be uploaded to the platform provided and notify the contact person
via email.
● The summit advisory council will review and vet all submissions

Important Dates:
● Submission of Abstract Deadline: 15th August 2024
● Notification of Acceptance: 20th August 2024
● Submission of Complete paper: 20th October, 2024
● Submission 5-15 PowerPoint Presentation: 30th October 2024

Review Process:

An abstract will be selected based on its originality, quality, alignment with the
theme/sub-themes, and capacity to provoke productive debate.
All submissions will undergo a rigorous peer-review process. Each paper will be reviewed by at
least 3 Faculty Advisors with expertise in the relevant area. The review process is double-blind,
ensuring the anonymity of both authors and reviewers.
When the decisions on the acceptance of the abstract have been communicated to the selected
applicant. The selected applicant will be expected to submit their complete paper (not exceeding
8,000 words) by the stipulated date below. Submissions must be original and not under
consideration for publication elsewhere.

Publication:

Accepted papers will be published with a reputable university press after the
conference.
Contact Information: For any inquiries regarding the Call for Papers, please contact:
● Name: Winner Oluwatomisin Apata
● Email: africaipsummit@it-rc.org
● LinkedIn: Winner Oluwatomisin Apata

We look forward to your submissions and to welcoming you to the pioneering All Africa IP
Summit!

Signed
Sand Mba-Kalu
Chairman, 2024 All Africa IP Summit Organising Committee