2026 Africa Intellectual Property Day (AIPD) My IP Story: Call for African Entrepreneurs, Businesses and Innovators
The 2026 Africa Intellectual Property Day (AIPD) “My IP Story” initiative invites African entrepreneurs, innovators, creators, institutions and business owners who have used intellectual property rights to create value and grow their initiatives to share their experiences.
Held under the theme “Growing Business Under The AfCFTA IP Ecosystem,” the 2026 Africa Intellectual Property Day initiative seeks to recognise and highlight compelling stories from African individuals and entities that have successfully leveraged intellectual property (IP) to develop a business, strengthen an initiative, protect innovation or create commercial value.
Through “My IP Story,” participants have an opportunity to explain their intellectual property journey in a video of no more than five minutes. The story should demonstrate how intellectual property rights have contributed to their progress, what type of IP protection they have used, the benefits they have experienced, and how the evolving intellectual property ecosystem associated with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) could further support their business.
Interested storytellers must prepare their videos according to the specified guidelines and complete the official submission form by 31 August 2026.
About the 2026 Africa Intellectual Property Day
The 2026 Africa Intellectual Property Day, also referred to as #2026AIPD, focuses attention on the role intellectual property can play in the growth and development of businesses across Africa.
The theme for the 2026 edition is:
“Growing Business Under The AfCFTA IP Ecosystem”
The theme connects intellectual property with the opportunities emerging through the African Continental Free Trade Area. It encourages African entrepreneurs and organisations to consider not only how intellectual property has helped them create value to date, but also how an AfCFTA intellectual property rights ecosystem could contribute to their future business development.
Intellectual property can represent an important component of a business or initiative. Depending on the nature of the activity, intellectual property rights can help protect inventions, brands, creative works, designs and other valuable intellectual assets.
The “My IP Story” initiative brings this subject to life by focusing on the actual experiences of Africans who have used intellectual property as part of their entrepreneurial, commercial or organisational journeys.
What Is the 2026 AIPD “My IP Story” Initiative?
“My IP Story” is an initiative designed to recognise stories from African individuals and entities that have leveraged intellectual property to grow a business or develop an initiative relying on intellectual property rights (IPR).
Rather than simply describing intellectual property in theoretical terms, participants are expected to tell the story of their own journey.
The story should trace the participant’s experience from the beginning of their business or initiative through to the achievements they have made, while demonstrating the impact that intellectual property rights have had on their success.
This means a strong submission should explain both the journey and the results. Participants should be able to show how intellectual property became relevant to their work, the particular intellectual property right they used and how that protection or intellectual asset has helped them create value.
Who Is “My IP Story” Designed For?
The submission form provides two types of participation:
- Individual
- Institution
The initiative specifically seeks stories from African individuals or entities that have leveraged intellectual property to grow their businesses or develop initiatives that rely on intellectual property rights.
Potential storytellers could therefore include individuals or institutions with a genuine intellectual property story demonstrating how IP has contributed to value creation, business development or the success of an initiative.
Applicants should ensure that their submission is based on their actual experience and clearly communicates the role intellectual property has played in their journey.
What Should Participants Submit?
The central requirement of the 2026 AIPD “My IP Story” initiative is a video telling the participant’s intellectual property story.
Each participant must submit a video with a maximum duration of five minutes.
The video should provide enough information for viewers to understand the storyteller, their business or initiative, their intellectual property journey and the benefits they have experienced from using intellectual property rights.
The submission must also be clearly labelled.
According to the submission requirements, the online form accepts one supported video file with a maximum file size of 1 GB.
Participants should therefore check the duration, file size and labelling of their video before uploading it.
2026 AIPD My IP Story Video Guidelines
The organisers have provided specific guidelines outlining the information that should be addressed in the video.
Participants should use these points as a checklist when planning and recording their stories.
1. State Your Full Name
The storyteller should clearly provide their full name.
This helps identify the individual presenting the story and connects the video with the information supplied through the application form.
2. State Your Country of Origin
Participants must identify their country of origin.
Because the initiative focuses on African intellectual property stories, this information provides important geographical context for the storyteller and their business or initiative.
3. Explain How Intellectual Property Has Helped With Value Creation
A central part of the story should answer the question:
How has intellectual property been helpful for value creation?
Participants should explain the practical connection between their intellectual property and the value generated by their business or initiative.
Rather than simply mentioning that intellectual property exists, storytellers should aim to demonstrate what difference it has made to their journey.
Depending on the participant’s circumstances, this could involve discussing how intellectual property has supported the development, protection, recognition or commercialisation of something valuable within their business or initiative.
4. Identify the Intellectual Property Right Used
The video must explain which Intellectual Property Right was used.
Participants should clearly identify the relevant form of intellectual property protection or right connected with their story.
The precise right will depend on the storyteller’s own circumstances and intellectual property journey. The important requirement is that participants clearly communicate which intellectual property right played a role in the development of their business or initiative.
5. Explain How Beneficial the Intellectual Property Has Been
Participants are also expected to answer:
How beneficial has this intellectual property been so far?
This part gives storytellers an opportunity to demonstrate the impact intellectual property has had on their progress.
Where possible, participants should communicate the benefits clearly and practically. The objective is to help viewers understand why the intellectual property mattered and how it contributed to the storyteller’s achievements.
6. Discuss Your Awareness of the AfCFTA
The video should address whether the storyteller has heard about the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
This requirement connects the participant’s personal intellectual property experience with the broader theme of the 2026 Africa Intellectual Property Day.
Participants should answer this component clearly within their video.
7. Explain How the AfCFTA IPR System Could Enhance Your Business
Participants should go beyond simply stating whether they are aware of AfCFTA.
They must also consider the question:
How could the AfCFTA IPR system enhance your business?
This is an important part of the submission because it directly relates the storyteller’s experience to the 2026 theme, “Growing Business Under The AfCFTA IP Ecosystem.”
Participants should consider their own business or initiative and explain how an intellectual property rights system within the AfCFTA context could potentially contribute to its future development.
The answer should ideally be connected to the participant’s actual business experience and future ambitions rather than being a general discussion disconnected from their story.
Rules for Songs and Voices Used in the Video
Participants who incorporate a song or voice into their submission must clearly mention the title and/or author of any song or voice used.
This requirement should not be overlooked when preparing the final video.
Before submitting, participants should review the entire recording and ensure that any song or voice included has been appropriately identified according to the submission guidelines.
What Language Can Be Used for the 2026 AIPD My IP Story?
The story must be presented in one of the African Union (AU) languages.
Participants should ensure their chosen language complies with this requirement before recording and submitting the final video.
Because language is an explicit part of the guidelines, applicants should not assume that a video in any language will automatically qualify. The story should be delivered using an AU language.
Required Information on the Application Form
In addition to uploading the video, applicants must provide several pieces of information through the official submission form.
The required fields listed on the form include:
- Full name of the storyteller
- Type of submission
- Email address of the storyteller
- Country of origin of the storyteller
- Short description of the business or initiative
- Video submission
For the type of submission, participants can select:
- Individual
- Institution
The video must be uploaded through the submission form and should be clearly labelled.
Video Technical Requirements
Participants should pay close attention to the technical requirements before completing their application.
The submitted video must meet the following conditions:
- The video must be no longer than five minutes.
- Only one video file can be uploaded through the specified upload field.
- The maximum permitted file size is 1 GB.
- The video submission must be clearly labelled.
- The story must comply with the specified content requirements.
- The story must be delivered in one of the AU languages.
- Any applicable song or voice used should have its title and/or author clearly mentioned.
Applicants should review the completed video against all of these requirements before uploading it.
How to Prepare a Strong My IP Story
While participants should remain faithful to their own experiences and the official requirements, planning the video before recording can make it easier to cover all of the requested information within the five-minute limit.
A practical structure could be:
Opening: Introduce Yourself
Begin by clearly stating:
- Your full name
- Your country of origin
- Your business or initiative
- What the business or initiative does
The introduction should establish enough context for viewers to understand the rest of the story.
Explain Your Journey
Describe how the business or initiative began.
This is where the participant can provide the background necessary to understand why intellectual property became relevant.
The initiative specifically seeks stories reflecting the journey from the onset to the achievement, so participants should consider explaining where they started, what they developed and how their intellectual property journey evolved.
Introduce the Intellectual Property
Clearly explain:
- The intellectual property involved
- Which intellectual property right was used
- Why it was relevant to the business or initiative
Avoid leaving the audience to guess what type of intellectual property is at the centre of the story.
Explain the Value Created
Describe how intellectual property contributed to value creation.
This is one of the most important components of the submission because “My IP Story” is intended to recognise experiences in which intellectual property has been leveraged for business growth or initiative development.
Describe the Benefits
Explain the benefits that the intellectual property has produced so far.
Participants should focus on their actual experience and achievements.
Address AfCFTA
Explain whether you have heard about AfCFTA and then discuss how you believe the AfCFTA IPR system could enhance your business.
Connecting this part of the video directly to your own business or initiative can help maintain a coherent story.
Review Before Submission
Before uploading the video, check that every required topic has been addressed and that the video does not exceed five minutes.
Also verify the language, file size, file labelling and any required attribution for songs or voices used.
Suggested Pre-Submission Checklist
Before completing the online form, participants should verify that they have:
- Prepared a video of no more than five minutes.
- Clearly stated the storyteller’s full name.
- Clearly stated the storyteller’s country of origin.
- Explained how intellectual property has contributed to value creation.
- Identified the Intellectual Property Right used.
- Explained how beneficial the intellectual property has been.
- Addressed whether the storyteller has heard about the AfCFTA.
- Explained how the AfCFTA IPR system could enhance the business.
- Identified the title and/or author of any song or voice used, where applicable.
- Presented the story in one of the AU languages.
- Clearly labelled the video submission.
- Confirmed that the video file is no larger than 1 GB.
- Prepared a short description of the business or initiative for the application form.
- Confirmed that all required form fields are complete.
- Prepared to submit everything before the deadline.
2026 Africa Intellectual Property Day My IP Story Deadline
The official submission deadline is 31 August 2026.
Prospective participants should aim to prepare, review and upload their video before the final day rather than waiting until the deadline.
Deadline: 31 August 2026
Applicants should ensure that the complete submission, including the required information and video upload, is successfully submitted through the official form by the deadline.
Why the 2026 AIPD Theme Matters for African Businesses
The theme “Growing Business Under The AfCFTA IP Ecosystem” places intellectual property within the wider conversation about business growth and economic integration across Africa.
For entrepreneurs and organisations, intellectual property can be more than a legal concept. Brands, inventions, designs, creative works and other intellectual assets can form an important part of how an enterprise creates and protects value.
“My IP Story” provides a platform for these experiences to be communicated through the voices of the people and entities that have actually used intellectual property.
By asking participants to discuss both their past experiences with IP and their expectations of the AfCFTA IPR system, the initiative also encourages storytellers to consider how intellectual property could support their future growth within an increasingly connected African market.
Important Information Before Submitting
Participants should carefully review the submission form and requirements before uploading their files.
The Google Form states that the name, email address and photo associated with the Google account used to submit the form will be recorded when files are uploaded and the form is submitted.
Applicants should therefore make sure they are signed into the appropriate Google account before completing their submission.
The form also warns users never to submit passwords through Google Forms.
Conclusion
The 2026 Africa Intellectual Property Day “My IP Story” initiative offers African individuals and entities an opportunity to tell the story behind the intellectual property that has contributed to their business or initiative.
Under the theme “Growing Business Under The AfCFTA IP Ecosystem,” participants are encouraged to demonstrate how intellectual property has helped them create value, identify the intellectual property right they have used, describe the benefits it has delivered and consider how the AfCFTA intellectual property rights ecosystem could further enhance their business.
The submission takes the form of a maximum five-minute video, supported by information about the storyteller and their business or initiative. Participants must follow the content requirements carefully, use one of the AU languages, appropriately identify songs or voices where applicable, clearly label their video and ensure the uploaded file does not exceed 1 GB.
African entrepreneurs, innovators, creators and institutions with a meaningful intellectual property journey should carefully review the requirements and prepare their stories ahead of time.
The deadline to submit a 2026 AIPD My IP Story is 31 August 2026.
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