51吃瓜

In today’s interconnected world, shots fired in one corner of the globe create ripple effects in other, seemingly far, places. One year since the 24 February Russian invasion of Ukraine, African countries, although physically miles away, have not been spared its aftershocks. As the world reflects on the various shocks created by the year-long conflict, Africans must grapple with the short-term inadvertent threats to their economies, food systems, and well-being.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of effective intellectual property (IP) systems for sustainable development in Africa. Despite various efforts made by African countries over the years to develop effective IP ecosystems, most countries still face a number of challenges which undermine the effectiveness of IP in promoting various aspects of socioeconomic development, including public health, agriculture and industrialization.