Meridian IP Intelligence · Edition 2 (updated 3 October 2026)
Africa IP Intelligence
The evidence record for intellectual property across Africa: the matters courts have decided, the rules registries have changed, and the firms and practitioners attached to them. Every entry is sourced. Firm → lawyer → matter → client → IP area → jurisdiction → evidence.
8IP matters on record
6Policy and registry changes tracked
22Firms in the register
12+2National markets + regional systems
The quarter in brief
What changed in African IP
Copyright · South Africa
Fair use survives; broad educational copying does not
The Constitutional Court held on 26 June 2026 that copyright is property, upheld fair use in section 12A and struck down sections 12D(1) to (5). Both Bills return to Parliament. Record
Patents · South Africa
Validity upheld, interim relief refused
The SCA upheld UC and Astellas’ enzalutamide patent against Eurolab on 17 March 2026 but declined interim relief to protect patient access, leaving damages. Record
Trade marks · Nigeria
The CBN reclaims “eNaira”
The Federal High Court, Abuja, held on 22 May 2026 that a private company could not own a mark suggesting government patronage. Record
Patents · Nigeria
N98.5bn claim against the payments system
A cash-management patent claim against the CBN, NIBSS and Avanage goes to trial on 15 and 16 October unless settled. Tayo Oyetibo SAN leads for the plaintiffs. Record
Administration · Kenya
Registrar’s control restored
On 29 June 2026 the High Court quashed a directive requiring KIPI Board approval for registrations and renewals, on a petition by the Law Society of Kenya. Record
Regional · ARIPO
Faster Banjul Protocol examination
The 2026 edition of the Banjul Protocol took effect on 1 March 2026, cutting designated offices’ examination window from nine to six months and raising official fees.
Matters tracker
IP disputes and decisions on record
Contested IP matters with a primary record (a judgment or court summary) or independent reporting. Counsel are shown only where a source names them.
| Date | Matter | Forum | Jurisdiction | IP area | Outcome / status | Counsel on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Jun 2026 | Ex parte President: Copyright Amendment Bill and Performers’ Protection Amendment Bill | Constitutional Court | South Africa | Copyright | Bills referred back; s12D(1)-(5) invalid | Commentary: Spoor & Fisher, Adams & Adams, KISCH IP |
| 17 Mar 2026 | The Regents of the University of California and Astellas v Eurolab and Dis-Chem | Supreme Court of Appeal | South Africa | Patents (pharma) | Appeal upheld; no interim relief | Adams & Adams (as cited in award recognition) |
| 1 Sep 2026 | Sun International v Times Square Hotel (Pty) Ltd | Companies Tribunal | South Africa | Trade marks / company names | Name change ordered within 3 months | Not named |
| 28 Oct 2025 | Logik Group Africa t/a Fire Logik v Fire Logic | Supreme Court of Appeal | South Africa | Passing off | Appeal dismissed; regional interdict stands | Not named |
| 23 Jun 2025 | Yossi Barel v Popular Trading CC | Supreme Court of Appeal | South Africa | Counterfeit goods | [2025] ZASCA 94 | Adams & Adams (as cited in award recognition) |
| 22 May 2026 | eNaira Payment Solutions v CBN and others | Federal High Court, Abuja | Nigeria | Trade marks | Suit dismissed; counterclaims granted; N10m damages | Not named |
| 2 Jul 2026 | Enterprise Logistics and Kolajo v CBN, NIBSS, Avanage and Registrar | Federal High Court, Lagos | Nigeria | Patents (fintech) | Pending; trial 15-16 Oct 2026 | Tayo Oyetibo SAN (plaintiffs); Olaoluwa Ale-Daniel (NIBSS) |
| 29 Jun 2026 | Law Society of Kenya v Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry | High Court | Kenya | IP administration | Directive quashed | Not named |
Matters by jurisdiction
Matters by IP area
The record is deepest in South Africa because its courts publish judgments and summaries promptly. That is a feature of the evidence, not a measure of market size.
Policy and registry tracker
The rules that changed
| Effective / date | System | Change | What it means for filers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2026 | AfCFTA (continental) | Annexes to the Protocol on Intellectual Property Rights adopted, covering marks, designs, plant varieties, patents, utility models, geographical indications, copyright, and traditional knowledge and genetic resources, as reported at the 39th AU Assembly | A continental framework is in place; ratification and national implementation will decide its practical effect | Source 1 · Source 2 |
| 1 Mar 2026 | ARIPO, Banjul Protocol | 2026 edition in force: examination window for designated states cut from nine to six months; oppositions determined under national law with ARIPO as hub; higher official fees; exhibition priority recognised | Faster prosecution of regional trade mark filings, at higher cost | Source |
| 5 Mar 2026 | Egypt | Egyptian Intellectual Property Authority Decisions 64 and 65 of 2026 increase trade mark official fees | Budget for higher filing, renewal and search costs | Source |
| 26 Jun 2026 | South Africa | Constitutional Court ruling on the Copyright Amendment Bill | Existing Copyright Act stays in force until Parliament redrafts | Record |
| 29 Jun 2026 | Kenya | High Court quashes KIPI Board approval directive of 30 September 2025 | Registrations, renewals and revocations stay with the Registrar | Record |
| 27 Aug 2025 | ARIPO, Harare Protocol | Mauritius joins as the 21st Harare Protocol state (patents, utility models, designs); it has not joined the Banjul Protocol | Mauritius can be designated in regional patent and design filings; marks still filed nationally | Source |
How protection works
Africa’s three routes to IP protection
Regional · designation system
ARIPO
Mainly anglophone states. One application designates member states, each of which can refuse protection. Patents and designs under the Harare Protocol (21 states after Mauritius); marks under the Banjul Protocol, amended from 1 March 2026.
Regional · unitary system
OAPI
Seventeen mainly francophone states share a single office in Yaoundé and a single title under the Bangui Agreement. A registration covers every member state; there is no national route.
National
National offices
Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt and Morocco, among others, sit outside both regional systems for most rights, and enforcement runs through national courts. Most of the disputes on this page come from national systems.
Meridian Africa IP Ranking · Edition 2 · 3 October 2026
The league table, decomposed
Each bar shows what a firm’s score is made of. How the ranking works
Matters on recordIndependent recognitionContinental reach
1
Adams & Adams
South Africa
100index · 81.4 pts
Matters 44.4/60Recognition 22/25Reach 15/15
- Evidence
- 4 matters on record. Astellas v Cipla (Jul 2026) · UC and Astellas v Eurolab (SCA 2026) · Yossi Barel v Popular Trading (SCA 2025) · Safety Engineering International patent win
- Practitioners
- Russell Bagnall · Sophia Smallbones · Kelly Thompson
- Recognition
- Managing IP Africa Firm of the Year 2025 and 2026 · WTR 1000 Gold · IAM Patent 1000 Gold
2
Spoor & Fisher
South Africa
46index · 37.4 pts
Matters 14.4/60Recognition 8/25Reach 15/15
- Evidence
- 2 matters, firm-reported. Trade mark opposition for an energy drinks major · national phase patent for a vaccine producer (both 2026, clients unnamed)
- Practitioners
- Charles Webster · Marco van der Merwe · David Cochrane
- Recognition
- WTR 1000 Gold 2026 · IP STARS Tier 1 trade mark disputes · IAM Patent 1000 ranked
3
ENSafrica
South Africa and wider Africa
23index · 19 pts
Matters 0/60Recognition 14/25Reach 5/15
- Evidence
- No matter on record. Placed on recognition and reach
- Practitioners
- Rowan Forster · Gaelyn Scott
- Recognition
- Managing IP 2026: SA Firm of the Year (Copyright and Design), SA Practitioner of the Year · IAM Patent 1000 Gold · WTR 1000 Gold
4
Von Seidels
South Africa · Nigeria · Kenya · OAPI
23index · 19 pts
Matters 0/60Recognition 9/25Reach 10/15
- Evidence
- No matter on record. Placed on recognition and reach
- Practitioners
- Hugo Prinsloo · Vanessa Ferguson · Erik van der Vyver
- Recognition
- Managing IP 2026: SA Firm of the Year (Patents) · WTR 1000 Gold
5
Eldib & Co
Egypt
10index · 8 pts
Matters 0/60Recognition 8/25Reach 0/15
- Evidence
- No matter on record. Placed on recognition
- Practitioners
- Dina Eldib
- Recognition
- Managing IP 2026: Egypt Firm of the Year, Egypt Practitioner of the Year
View the ranking as a table
| Rank | Firm | Index | Matters /60 | Recognition /25 | Reach /15 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adams & Adams | 100 | 44.4 | 22 | 15 | 81.4 |
| 2 | Spoor & Fisher | 46 | 14.4 | 8 | 15 | 37.4 |
| 3 | ENSafrica | 23 | 0 | 14 | 5 | 19 |
| 4 | Von Seidels | 23 | 0 | 9 | 10 | 19 |
| 5 | Eldib & Co | 10 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
Next in line: Dentons Hamilton Harrison & Mathews and Iseme, Kamau & Maema Advocates (Kenya), KISCH IP, Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (Egypt). Firms may submit IP matters for verification; submission does not guarantee inclusion.
Practitioners on record
Named IP lawyers with evidence
| Practitioner | Firm | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Tayo Oyetibo SAN | Tayo Oyetibo LP | Lead counsel to the plaintiffs, N98.5bn patent claim (2026) |
| Rowan Forster | ENSafrica | Managing IP EMEA Awards 2026: South Africa Practitioner of the Year |
| Dina Eldib | Eldib & Co | Managing IP EMEA Awards 2026: Egyptian Practitioner of the Year |
| Angela Adebayo Agbe-Davies | Inventa (Nigeria) | IP STARS 2026: IP Star (as reported by the firm) |
| William Maema SC | IKM Advocates (DLA Piper Africa Kenya) | WTR 1000 2026: recommended (as reported by the firm) |
Recognition establishes standing, not mandates. Practitioners move into the matters tracker only when a source names them on a matter.
Watchlist
What happens next
- 15 and 16 October 2026: trial dates in the N98.5bn cash-management patent claim at the Federal High Court, Lagos, unless the parties settle.
- Parliament, South Africa: redrafting of the Copyright Amendment Bill and Performers’ Protection Amendment Bill after the Constitutional Court ruling.
- ARIPO: further Banjul Protocol amendments flagged on multi-class applications, post-filing changes and withdrawals.
- AfCFTA: ratification of the IP Protocol and its annexes by member states.
- Times Square Hotel: the three-month window to change its company name runs to early December 2026.
Register
IP practitioners on record
38 named IP practitioners across South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya and the OAPI region, from the Meridian market dataset (October 2026). A listing is not a ranking.
| Practitioner | Firm | Market | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kelly Thompson | Adams & Adams | South Africa | Trade mark litigation; enforcement |
| Darren Olivier | Adams & Adams | South Africa | Trade mark litigation; enforcement |
| Godfrey Budeli | Adams & Adams | South Africa | Anti-counterfeiting |
| Nicky Garnett | Adams & Adams | South Africa | Patents; Africa filing strategy |
| Russell Bagnall | Adams & Adams | South Africa | Patent litigation; pharmaceuticals |
| Sophia Smallbones | Adams & Adams | South Africa | Patent litigation; engineering |
| Lisa van Zuydam | Adams & Adams | South Africa | Patents; trade marks |
| Marco van der Merwe | Spoor & Fisher | South Africa | Trade marks; technology |
| Mohamed Khader | Spoor & Fisher | South Africa | Trade marks; copyright; anti-counterfeiting |
| David Cochrane | Spoor & Fisher | South Africa | Patents |
| Louise Myburgh | Spoor & Fisher | South Africa | Trade marks; copyright; disputes |
| Herman Blignaut | Spoor & Fisher | South Africa | Trade marks |
| Gaelyn Scott | ENSafrica | South Africa | IP enforcement and litigation |
| André Maré | ENSafrica | South Africa | Anti-counterfeiting |
| Hugo Prinsloo | Von Seidels | South Africa | Trade marks; anti-counterfeiting |
| Vanessa Ferguson | Von Seidels | South Africa | Trade marks; anti-counterfeiting |
| Claire Brown | Von Seidels | South Africa | Trade marks |
| Erik van der Vyver | Von Seidels | South Africa | Patents |
| Claire Smedley | Von Seidels | South Africa | Trade marks |
| Oswald Alembong | Von Seidels | Cameroon (OAPI) | Patents; trade marks; designs |
| Perpetua Mwangi | Von Seidels | Kenya | IP; anti-counterfeiting |
| Angela Adebayo | Von Seidels | Nigeria | Patents; trade marks |
| Izuchukwu Chinedo | Von Seidels | Nigeria | Patents; trade marks |
| Nola Bond | KISCH IP | South Africa | Trade marks; enforcement |
| Lisa McIlwaine-Hill | KISCH IP | South Africa | Trade marks; enforcement |
| Bernadette Versfeld | Webber Wentzel | South Africa | Trade marks; advertising; litigation |
| Deon Bouwer | Bouwers | South Africa | Trade mark litigation; anti-counterfeiting |
| Femi Olubanwo | Banwo & Ighodalo | Nigeria | Trade marks; IP transactions |
| Fred Onuobia | G. Elias | Nigeria | Patent litigation; trade secrets |
| Mena Ajakpovi | Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie | Nigeria | Trade marks; copyright |
| Tiwalola Osazuwa | Aluko & Oyebode | Nigeria | IP; technology (head of IP) |
| Christian Aniukwu | Stren & Blan Partners | Nigeria | IP; litigation |
| Dina Eldib | Eldib & Co | Egypt | Trade marks; copyright; patents |
| Mohamed Eldib | Eldib & Co | Egypt | Intellectual property |
| Hazem Wahba | Cedar White Bradley | Egypt | IP protection; enforcement |
| Jehad Ali Hasan | JAH Intellectual Property | Egypt | Trade mark prosecution; enforcement |
| Hassane El Sheref | Shield Advocates | Egypt | Trade marks; patents; plant variety |
| Hala El Sbay | Al Tamimi & Company | Egypt | Intellectual property |
Firm register
IP firms: recognition and matters
| Market | Firm | Recognition (body, year) | IP area | Matters on record | Evidence status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | Adams & Adams | Managing IP Tier 1; Managing IP EMEA Awards 2026: African Firm of the Year; South African Trademark Firm of the Year; South African Impact Case of the Year | Trade marks; patents; litigation | 2 matters on record: Yossi Barel v Popular Trading CC (SCA, 2025); UC and Astellas v Eurolab (SCA, 2026). Roles as cited in award recognition. | Partially Verified | Source 1 |
| South Africa | Spoor & Fisher | Managing IP Tier 1; IP STARS 2025: Tier 1 trade marks and patents; Managing IP EMEA Awards 2025: South Africa Trademark Firm of the Year. Named stars include Mohamed Khader, Duncan Maguire, Louise Myburgh, Charles Webster (trade marks) and Lance Abramson, Dina Biagio, Jonathan Whittaker (patents) | Trade marks; patents | None on record | Reported | Source 1 |
| South Africa | ENSafrica (IP & Innovation) | Managing IP EMEA Awards 2026: South Africa Copyright and Design Firm of the Year; Rowan Forster, South Africa Practitioner of the Year. IP STARS 2026: Tier 1 trade mark prosecution; IP transactions Highly Recommended. Managing IP EMEA Awards 2026: South African Firm of the Year (Copyright & Design); Rowan Forster, South African Practitioner of the Year. Gaelyn Scott (head of IP) named Trade Mark Star | Trade marks; copyright and design; patents | None on record | Partially Verified (awards); Reported (IP STARS) | Source 1 · Source 2 · Source 2 |
| South Africa | Von Seidels | Managing IP EMEA Awards 2026: South African Firm of the Year (Patents) | Patents | None on record | Partially Verified | Source 1 |
| Kenya | Dentons Hamilton Harrison & Mathews | Managing IP EMEA Awards 2026: Kenyan Firm of the Year | IP (general) | None on record | Partially Verified | Source 1 |
| Kenya | IKM Advocates (DLA Piper Africa Kenya) | WTR 1000 2026: Gold. Recommended: William Maema SC, Imelda Anika, Hiram Nyaburi, John Ndirangu | Trade marks | None on record | Reported | Source 1 |
| Nigeria | Jackson, Etti & Edu | WTR 1000 Gold; Managing IP EMEA Awards 2026: Nigerian Firm of the Year | IP (general) | None on record | Partially Verified | Source 1 |
| Nigeria | Inventa (Nigeria) | IP STARS 2026: Notable firm, trade mark and patent prosecution (Nigeria). Angela Adebayo Agbe-Davies (IP Star); Izuchukwu Chinedo (Rising Star) | Trade mark and patent prosecution | None on record | Reported | Source 1 |
| Nigeria | Tayo Oyetibo LP | No directory or award recognition recorded | Patent litigation | 1 matter on record: Enterprise Logistics v CBN, NIBSS and Avanage (N98.5bn claim; Tayo Oyetibo SAN, lead counsel to the plaintiffs) | Partially Verified | Source 1 |
| Egypt | Eldib & Co | Managing IP EMEA Awards 2026: Egyptian Firm of the Year; Dina Eldib, Egyptian Practitioner of the Year; Menna Elsherif, Rising Star | IP (general) | None on record | Partially Verified | Source 1 |
| Kenya | Bowmans (Kenya) | WTR 1000 Gold (2024). Named: John Syekei, David Opijah, Ariana Issaias (Partners, IP) | Trade marks; patents; copyright; advertising law | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| Tanzania | Bowmans (Tanzania) | WTR 1000 | Trade marks; patents; copyright | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| Uganda | ALN Uganda | MMAKS Advocates | Reported as a top-tier IP practice (ranking source not specified) | Trade marks; corporate IP | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| Rwanda | Trust Law Chambers | No recognition recorded. Named: Jacklen Mbabazi (Associate, IP) | Trade marks | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| Ghana | Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah | Reported as a top-tier IP practice (ranking source not specified) | Trade marks | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| Ghana | Kimathi & Partners | Reported as a top-tier IP practice (ranking source not specified); disclosed client: Google | Trade marks | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| Cameroon (OAPI) | Nico Halle & Co. Law Firm | WTR 1000; Managing IP Tier 1. Named: Nico Halle, Vanessa Halle (Partners, IP) | OAPI filings; trade marks; patents; brand protection | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| Cameroon (OAPI) | Cabinet Ekeme Lysaght | WTR 1000 Gold; Managing IP Tier 1. Named: Nadine Ekeme (Managing Partner) | Patents; trade marks; OAPI registrations; copyright; IP disputes | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| Cameroon (OAPI) | SCP Marie-Andrée Ngwe | WTR 1000 Silver. Named: Marie-Andrée Ngwe (Managing Partner) | Trade marks; patents; IP litigation; anti-counterfeiting | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| Namibia | Engling, Stritter & Partners | Directory recognition recorded | Trade marks; patents; copyright; licensing | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| Zimbabwe | Scanlen & Holderness | Directory recognition recorded | Brand protection; trade marks | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| Zambia | ALN Zambia | Musa Dudhia & Co | Reported as tier 1 for IP (ranking source not specified) | Trade marks; licensing | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| South Africa | Webber Wentzel | WTR 1000 Silver; individual recommendations (Bernadette Versfeld, Carla Collett) | Trade marks; copyright; IP transactions; litigation | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| South Africa | Moore Attorneys | WTR 1000 Silver; IP STARS Tier 3 trade mark disputes | Trade marks; copyright; litigation | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| South Africa | Bouwers | WTR 1000 Silver; Deon Bouwer individually recommended | Trade marks; anti-counterfeiting; litigation | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| South Africa | De Chalains | WTR 1000 Bronze; David Bernstein individually recommended | Trade marks; patents; litigation | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| South Africa | Smit & Van Wyk | WTR 1000 Bronze | Patents; trade marks; designs; copyright | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| South Africa | Wintz Incorporated | WTR 1000 individual recommendation (Craig Shapiro) | Trade marks; litigation | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| South Africa | Werksmans (IP) | WTR 1000 Bronze, trade marks | Trade marks; copyright; litigation | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| Nigeria | Banwo & Ighodalo (IP) | IP STARS Tier 1, IP transactions | IP transactions; trade marks; patents | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| Nigeria | G. Elias (IP) | IP STARS Tier 1, IP transactions | Patent litigation; trade secrets; trade marks | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| Nigeria | Jackson, Etti & Edu | IP STARS Tier 1, IP transactions | Trade marks; patents; copyright | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| Nigeria | Dentons ACAS-Law (IP) | IP STARS Tier 2, IP transactions | Trade marks; patents | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| Nigeria | Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie (IP) | IP STARS individual listings (Mena Ajakpovi) | Trade marks; copyright | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| Nigeria | Stren & Blan Partners (IP) | IP STARS ranked firm | IP; litigation | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| Nigeria | Aluko & Oyebode (IP) | IP STARS Tier 2, IP transactions | IP; technology transactions | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| Egypt | Cedar White Bradley | IP STARS highly recommended | IP protection; enforcement | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| Egypt | JAH Intellectual Property | IP STARS ranked firm | Trade mark prosecution; enforcement | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| Egypt | Shield Advocates (Al Hawy & Hassane) | IP STARS trade mark star (Hassane El Sheref) | Trade marks; patents; plant variety | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| Egypt | Saba IP | IP STARS notable practitioner | Trade marks; patents | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| Egypt | Al Tamimi & Company (Egypt IP) | IP STARS practitioner listings | IP; litigation; technology | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| Egypt | Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (IP) | IP STARS practitioner listings | IP; IP transactions | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
| Sudan | AZTAN Law Firm | Independent directory recognition for IP knowledge | IP; corporate | None on record | Reported | Meridian market dataset (October 2026) |
Evidence statuses
- Verified: confirmed against the ranking body or awarding organisation, or a primary record of the matter.
- Partially Verified: confirmed by an independent, reputable publication.
- Reported: published by the firm itself and not yet independently confirmed.
Gaps for the next edition
- Ghana, Morocco and Francophone Africa (including OAPI practice): no current recognition or matter evidence verified yet.
- Practitioner affiliations to confirm: Toyosi Alabi (Managing IP EMEA Awards 2026, Nigerian Practitioner of the Year) and Daniel Wanjau Muriu (Kenyan Practitioner of the Year).
- WTR 1000 and IP STARS tables are behind a registration wall; firm-reported results above should be checked against the full tables.
- IP matters: dated prosecution, enforcement and litigation matters are needed for each firm before ranking.
- Egypt and Morocco: recognition is on record but no contested IP matter yet.
- OAPI (Francophone Central and West Africa): three Cameroon-based IP firms now in the register; no contested OAPI matter on record yet.
- East and Southern Africa (Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia): firms added from the October 2026 market dataset; matters and named practitioners are the next evidence gap.
- Counsel in South African IP judgments: Meridian is checking judgments for named attorneys and counsel so that firm roles can be confirmed.
Submit IP matters or corrections through Submit a Transaction. No firm can pay for inclusion or position.
Sources for Edition 2
- Supreme Court of Appeal, media summary, The Regents of the University of California v Eurolab (17 March 2026): https://www.supremecourtofappeal.org.za/images/SCA2026-30ms.pdf
- Supreme Court of Appeal, media summary, Logik Group Africa v Fire Logic [2025] ZASCA 164 (28 October 2025): https://www.supremecourtofappeal.org.za/images/SCA2025-164ms.pdf
- WIPO Lex, Yossi Barel v Popular Trading CC [2025] ZASCA 94: https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/judgments/details/3206
- Spoor & Fisher, Copyright Amendment Bill: Constitutional Court Clarifies the Future of South Africa’s Copyright Reform (1 July 2026): https://spoor.com/copyright-amendment-bill-constitutional-court/
- Adams & Adams, Constitutional Court Delivers Landmark but Incomplete Copyright Ruling (13 July 2026): https://www.adams.africa/stephen-hollis/constitutional-court-delivers-landmark-but-incomplete-copyright-ruling/
- BusinessDay, Sun International wins order in Time Square hotel name case (15 September 2026): https://www.businessday.co.za/companies/2026-09-15-sun-international-wins-order-in-time-square-hotel-name-case/
- Nairametrics, Court restrains eNaira Payment Solutions from claiming ownership of eNaira trademark (22 May 2026): https://nairametrics.com/2026/05/22/court-restrains-enaira-payment-solutions-from-claiming-ownership-of-enaira-trademark/
- Premium Times, Court urges settlement in N98.5bn patent suit against CBN, NIBSS (July 2026): https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/892341-court-urges-settlement-in-n98-5bn-patent-suit-against-cbn-nibss.html
- Mondaq (Adams & Adams), Kenyan High Court Strikes Down Directive Affecting Intellectual Property Administration (17 July 2026): https://www.mondaq.com/trademark/1818712/kenyan-high-court-strikes-down-directive-affecting-intellectual-property-administration
- Von Seidels, The 2026 edition of ARIPO’s Banjul Protocol is here (17 February 2026): https://www.vonseidels.com/international-news/the-2026-edition-of-aripos-banjul-protocol-is-here-understanding-the-new-amendments
- Inventa, Mauritius joins the Harare Protocol (5 June 2025): https://inventa.com/ip-news-insights/announcements/mauritius-joins-harare-protocol-new-chapter-regional-ip-protection
- Mondaq (Adams & Adams), EGIPA Introduces Increased Official Fees (3 June 2026): https://www.mondaq.com/trademark/1796178/egipa-introduces-increased-official-fees
- Mondaq (ENS), ENS IP team receives South Africa Copyright and Design Firm of the Year (4 May 2026): https://www.mondaq.com/pressrelease/194892/
- Vanguard, AfCFTA to leverage IP protocol for industrialisation (1 July 2026): https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/07/afcfta-to-leverage-ip-protocol-for-industrialisation-pharmaceutical-production-mene/