How intellectual property rights enable or challenge the attainment of the sustainable development goals in Africa.
Authors:
DO Oriakhogba, CT Musiza and S Mba-KaluSummary:
This edited book volume explores the intersection of intellectual property (IP) rights with crucial sectors that are key to advancing the sustainable development goals in Africa. Through case and thematic analyses drawn from specific African countries and regional organisations, the book situates the IP and sustainable development conversation within the context of agriculture and food security, access to medicines and public health, gender empowerment, small business development, innovation and patent quality, financing, entrepreneurship and commercialisation, data protection, traditional knowledge and artificial intelligence in Africa. In this connection, the book explores the interaction between IP rights and SDGs 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 16 and 17, which are also articulated in the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The book interrogates how IP is both an enabler of innovation and a source of development challenges in Africa, especially where the legal and institutional frameworks are misaligned with the continent’s socio-economic realities. Demonstrating the transformative potential of IP in the innovation, creative, agricultural, financing, entrepreneurial, health and manufacturing sectors, the central argument advanced throughout the book is the need for a context-sensitive IP framework that is development-oriented to contribute meaningfully to sustainable development in Africa.Link to the book
