2026 Africa Intellectual Property Day: SG Prize for Outstanding AfCFTA Intellectual Property Innovation and Impact

Overview

The 2026 Africa Intellectual Property Day highlights the growing significance of intellectual property in strengthening businesses, innovation, trade, and economic development across the continent. Centered around the theme “Growing Business Under The AfCFTA IP Ecosystem,” the initiative features the SG Prize to celebrate individuals and entities whose work demonstrates meaningful use or generation of intellectual property rights, processes, or mechanisms within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The prize celebrates verifiable intellectual property use and demonstrable impact across economic, social, or cultural domains. Eligible categories include copyrights, trademarks, patents, geographical indications, and plant variety rights.

Eligibility

• The work, innovation, or creation must originate in an African Union (AU) Member State.
• Submissions must feature formally registered and applied intellectual property supported by verifiable evidence.
• Achievements must demonstrate concrete economic, social, or cultural impact, alongside cross-border or AfCFTA relevance and role-model potential.
• Nominations can be submitted by individuals or institutions.

Benefits

• Recognition for exceptional intellectual property accomplishments that inspire broader continental development.
• The opportunity to showcase achievements in business growth, trade, innovation, and cultural preservation on an African stage.

How to Apply

Applicants must complete the online nomination form, provide a 200-word impact statement addressing the SG Prize criteria, and upload supporting evidence. Supporting documents can be provided as either one ZIP folder or up to ten separate PDF files, with a maximum combined size of 100MB.

Deadline

Applications must be submitted by August 31, 2026.