Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) – 32 nations without direct sea access – face steep economic and trade hurdles. With transport costs 1.4 times higher than coastal states, 82% of their exports are unprocessed commodities, and GDP levels average 20% lower.…
Plastics are now a cornerstone of global trade and the economy, yet their environmental costs are staggering. In 2023, global plastics trade exceeded $1.1 trillion (323 million metric tons), with over 78% of production traded internationally. Alarmingly, 75% of all…
China’s intellectual property environment continues to attract foreign interest, with 94,000 trademark registration applications submitted by non-Chinese entities in the first half of 2025, reflecting a 7.4% year-on-year growth, according to the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA). This steady rise…
In a landmark moment for the Kingdom’s innovation landscape, the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP)has officially issued its 20,000th patent, cementing Saudi Arabia’s growing reputation as a regional leader in intellectual property rights and technological advancement. This achievement marks…
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…
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…
In a groundbreaking legal move that could reshape the future of artificial intelligence and intellectual property law, entertainment giants Disney and NBCUniversal have filed a joint federal lawsuit against AI image generator Midjourney. The 110-page complaint, lodged in the U.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…
Ethiopia has taken centre stage in the global intellectual property system by hosting the International Geographical Indications (GI) Conference in Addis Ababa from the 3 – 4, June, 2025. The event, organised by the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority (EIPA) in…
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…