In a groundbreaking effort to empower the creative sector, the Federal Government of Nigeria has launched a revolutionary financing initiative that allows creatives to use their intellectual property (IP) as collateral to secure funding. The announcement was delivered by the…
UNDP Report – July 2025 Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) face unique structural barriers to growth, from a lack of seaport access to high trade costs, climate vulnerabilities, and limited financing options. Representing 7% of the world’s population but only 1.1%…
The global trading system is weathering a turbulent 2025, with economic resilience tested by policy uncertainty, rising tariffs, geopolitical tensions, and the dominance of Big Tech in digital markets. The latest Global Trade Update (July 2025) by UNCTAD provides a…
Introduction A Sector with Promise Amidst Complexity The African textiles and apparel (T&A) sector has long been viewed as a potential driver of industrialisation, job creation, and regional economic transformation. Yet, despite this potential, Africa’s T&A industry remains underdeveloped and…
After multiple delays and decades of anticipation, the Bermudian government has confirmed that its long-awaited trademark reform will officially take effect on July 1, 2025. The new legislation, anchored in the Trademarks Act 2023, represents a sweeping modernisation of Bermuda’s…
The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has issued a stern warning to Disc Jockeys (DJs) across the country, cautioning them against the unauthorised public performance of copyrighted music. In an advisory released on Wednesday in Abuja, the Commission emphasised that DJs…
In a progressive move to strengthen science and innovation among youth, the Ugandan government has announced plans to integrate intellectual property (IP) education into the national school curriculum. This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Education and Sports, reflects a…
Africa’s Cotton, Textile, and Apparel Industry: Market Strategies under AfCFTA Vol. 4, 2025 Despite holding over 20% of global cotton-growing land, Africa contributes less than 5% to global textile and apparel exports. The May 2025 policy brief by the Africa…
As part of the International Trade and Research Centre’s (ITRC) 2025 World Intellectual Property Day commemoration, this policy brief examines how Africa’s creative economy—particularly the music sector—can become a driver of intra-African trade through robust intellectual property (IP) systems and…
The World Investment Report 2025 by the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) offers a sharp lens into the evolving dynamics of international investment, revealing both emerging opportunities and intensifying disparities. As foreign direct investment (FDI) contracts globally for the…