The Conference explored the challenges and opportunities for Africa in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It considered how to harness the potential of universities and research institutions as generators of new knowledge and intellectual property (IP) assets, as well as ways to encourage the business community, to embrace innovation and IP in support of national economic growth. Download the program 
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Attendance at the Conference was by invitation only. Participants included:
- ministers responsible for trade, industry, promotion of private sector, higher and tertiary education, science and technology, and Justice;
- senior government officials, as well as public and private sector businesses and inventors;
- intergovernmental organizations;
- regional economic and IP institutions; and
- opinion leaders from within and outside Africa.
The three-day Conference consisted of a high-level segment, two parallel break-away clusters and a plenary session. Each break away cluster consisted of speakers and a moderator who will guide the discussions among the speakers and between the speakers and participants.
- High Level Segment – Africa in a Knowledge-Based Economy: Challenges and Opportunities in the 4th Industrial Revolution
- Cluster 1 – Universities and research and development (R&D) institutions in the global knowledge based economy
- Cluster 2 – SMEs and their contribution to innovation and economic growth in Africa
- Plenary session – Presentation by Chair of the Drafting Committee on key issues and areas of agreement for the preparation of the joint road map and action plan for the two clusters; and Discussion on way forward.
The Conference would produce a draft five-year roadmap and action plan on effective use of IP and innovation to establish an advanced innovation ecosystem in Africa for further consideration by the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) and l’Organisation africaine de la propriété intellectuelle (OAPI).
- Technology Trends Report
- IP Toolkit for Universities and PRIs: IP Policies
- TISC Report 2018
