Adams & Adams hosted its 12th annual Africa Network Meeting, the largest intellectual property (IP) gathering on the continent, on 10-12 September at its head office in Pretoria. Under the theme ‘Owning Innovation: African IP for a global stage’, the event brought together the firm’s African partners, Associate Officers, IP practitioners, and Senior IP Officers, reaffirming Adams & Adams’ commitment to fostering greater cooperation and excellence in IP in Africa. 

Since 2012, the Africa Network Meeting has grown as an important event on the IP calendar, consistently attended by leading voices in the IP community to help shape the future of innovation in Africa. This year, 81 IP professionals from 26 countries were in attendance. This included representatives from the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) and Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle (OAPI), underscoring the strategic importance of regional cooperation and the shared vision for strengthening IP frameworks across Africa.

The three-day event was marked by several impactful sessions, including an inspiring address by guest speaker Kimberley Taylor, founder and CEO of Loop, a pioneering delivery management platform transforming logistics across Africa. Fueled by a passion for maths and creativity, Taylor launched Loop to streamline delivery systems, and her emergence as a young female leader in tech reflects the power of innovation and purpose-driven entrepreneurship.

Jameel Hamid, Partner at Adams & Adams, also spoke to participants on the anticipated impact of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on IP rights, a pivotal consideration for all working in the field of IP.  This was followed by updates from OAPI and ARIPO, breakaway panel discussions on regional developments, and feedback on the Qualcomm L2Pro Africa platform, developed in partnership with Adams & Adams, to empower African innovators with accessible IP knowledge.

Guests also had the opportunity to take part in one-on-one meetings, network with fellow attendees, enjoy an excursion to Constitution Hill and attend the meeting’s gala dinner. 

In his welcome address, firm partner Simon Brown, who serves as Chairperson of the Africa Strategy Committee and the Africa IP Committee of Adams & Adams, noted, “Our network is about Africans believing in Africans. It is a platform where knowledge is shared, where best practices are exchanged and where friendships are built.”

Speaking at the event, Kelly Thompson, Chairperson of Adams & Adams, said, “This gathering is more than just another event on our calendar or a conference – it is a reaffirmation of our shared purpose, our collective ambition, and our belief in the transformative power of IP across Africa.

“Africa’s story has often been told by others. But innovation gives us the chance to tell our own story – boldly, proudly, and on our own terms. IP is the language of that story. And we, as custodians of IP, have a responsibility to ensure it is heard, understood, and respected.”