African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretary-General Wamkele Mene has been honored with the All Africa Intellectual Property Leadership and Continental Integration Award by the All Africa Intellectual Property Summit (AAIPS) during a courtesy visit to the AfCFTA Secretariat in Abuja.

The award was presented on the sidelines of the 18th Meeting of the AfCFTA Council of Ministers Responsible for Trade, recognizing Mene’s leadership in moving the continental free trade agreement from political commitment to practical implementation.

Presenting the award, AAIPS Chairman Sand Mba Kalu commended Mene’s stewardship, saying he has helped transform the AfCFTA from a continental vision into an operational framework capable of reshaping Africa’s trade future.

Kalu also called for a formal institutional partnership between AAIPS and the AfCFTA Secretariat to strengthen collaboration on intellectual property and continental integration.

Mene reaffirmed the importance of the AfCFTA Intellectual Property Rights Protocol, describing it as a key instrument for promoting industrialization, innovation and pharmaceutical manufacturing across Africa.

He noted that stronger intellectual property systems will support local production, investment and technology development while enhancing the continent’s economic resilience.

The Secretary-General also announced that negotiations on all AfCFTA protocols have now been concluded, marking a shift from negotiations to full implementation.

He emphasised that greater private sector participation will be essential to ensuring the agreement delivers its intended economic benefits across the continent.

The award comes as preparations continue for the 7th All Africa Intellectual Property Summit, which is scheduled to be held in Nairobi in November 2026.