By:
Kanto Kai Okanta
Nigeria’s
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, has held
high-level engagements on the sidelines of the 68th World Intellectual Property
Organization (WIPO) Assemblies, advancing discussions on the implementation of
the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), digital trade and
innovation-led economic growth.
During
the meetings, Oduwole met with World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to discuss progress on AfCFTA implementation, digital
trade and digitalisation under Nigeria’s current chairmanship of the AfCFTA
Council of Ministers.
The
discussions focused on strengthening regional trade integration and leveraging
digital technologies to support economic development across the continent.
In
Lausanne, the Minister also participated in the Informal Ministerial Policy
Dialogue, where she highlighted the role of innovation and creativity in
shaping future societies and driving sustainable economic growth.
As
part of her engagements, Oduwole held bilateral meetings with WIPO Deputy
Director General Mzukisi Qobo, Assistant Director General for Patents and
Technology Lisa Jorgenson, Assistant Director General for Brands and Designs
Binying Wang, the Madrid Registry team, and representatives of the
International Trademark Association (INTA).
The
bilateral discussions focused on strengthening intellectual property
cooperation, supporting innovation ecosystems, enhancing trade competitiveness
and deepening Nigeria’s industrial development agenda.
Nigeria
currently chairs the AfCFTA Council of Ministers, a role that places the
country at the centre of efforts to accelerate the implementation of the
continental free trade agreement and promote digital trade as a key driver of
Africa’s economic integration.
