IP wasn't designed for Africans. Here's how to change it. | Simba Makahamadze | TEDxBorrowdale

What are Africa’s innovative and creative strengths? Can these be viewed from a global or international standards lens? Many today wish Africa had an opportunity to independently construct its own intellectual property architecture; one that is contextual to her developmental stage, aspirations and collective interests. Let’s unpack what it could mean if the focus was shifted to Africa’s innovative and creative strengths and most importantly, where we should draw a line when it comes to appropriation of our traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions that are not protected by conventional intellectual property systems. Simba is the Founder & CEO of AfricanLaw, an interactive online platform that simplifies access to and engagement of top rated and verified lawyers in any country in Africa. Their mission is to make the African legal experience extraordinary by providing direct access to high quality and cost-effective legal services.
He has over 14 years of Intellectual Property Management and strategy experience covering Southern Africa and the Middle East. He advises clients on all aspects of intellectual property protection and management including, but not limited to, trademark and patent filing strategies, trademark/brand selection, IP filing and prosecution, IP strategy, IP commercialisation, institutional IP policy development and IP due diligence for transactional purposes. His experience covers large companies as well as start-ups assisting them to establish IP protection strategies at an earlier stage. Simba has also handled IP consulting projects in Dubai for private sector, government and semi-government institutions covering IP auditing, IP policy development and training as well as collaboration between industry and institutions of higher learning.

Simba is also the Principal Consultant of PalladiumIP Consultants, an IP services and business advisory firm with offices in the Middle East and Africa. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx