Dealing With Trade Mark Prosecution and Enforcement Challenges In Africa

DEALING WITH TRADE MARK PROSECUTION AND ENFORCEMENT CHALLENGES IN AFRICA

Thursday May 7, 2026 10.00-13.00 followed by refreshments

Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), Lincolns Inn Fields, WC2A 3JB

10.00 - 10.15    Welcome Address: Professor Johanna Gibson, Herchel Smith Professor of Intellectual Property Law, QMUL

10.15 – 10.45    Keynote: Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Nigeria

10.45 – 11.00    Coffee break

11.00 – 13.00    Panel Discussion and Q&A: Resolving Trade Marks Prosecution Issues, Madrid, & Tackling Trade Marks Enforcement Issues

13.00 – 14.00    Refreshments and networking

Moderator – Prof. Bankole Sodipo, SAN, FCArb

Senior Partner,  G.O Sodipo & Co

Panelists:

1. André du Plessis,Director and Trade Mark Attorney, partner, KISCH IP, South Africa (Southern African Region)
2. Femi Fajolu, Managing Partner, G.O. Sodipo & Co, Nigeria
3. John Halle, Managing Partner, Nico Halle & Co. Law Firm, Cameroun (including OAPI/AIPO region)
4. Pascal Haddad , Partner, Saba & Co. Intellectual Property s.a.l. (Offshore), Morocco
5. Martins Iluyomade, Director of Enforcement, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigeria.
6. Manasses Kabui,   MWANGI K. M. – FCIArb, Senior Partner, mmasadvocates , Kenya (including African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) region)
7. David Muls, Senior Director, Madrid Registry, the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO)