Supporting inventors in Africa: patent-drafting workshop held in The Gambia

A new patent drafting course for African inventors, co-organised by the EPO, epi, ARIPO, the Gambian IP office, and the EUIPO through the AfrIPI project, culminated in a hybrid seminar held this week in Banjul.

From 2 to 6 June, more than 30 participants from 17 African countries gathered in Banjul, The Gambia for a week-long workshop on patent drafting. The event marked the final stage of a comprehensive training course designed to strengthen intellectual property capacities across the continent.

The training programme was co-organised by the European Patent Office (EPO) in partnership with the Industrial Property Registration Office of The Gambia, the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) under the Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation in Africa (AfrIPI) project, and the Institute of Professional Representatives before the EPO (epi). Launched in February 2025, the course enrolled over 80 participants from research institutions, technology hubs and IP offices in ARIPO member states, and began with online sessions on the fundamentals of intellectual property. These virtual sessions laid the groundwork for the practical, in-person workshop held in Banjul. 

Hands-on training to build patent-drafting expertise

The final hybrid workshop was led by experts from the EPO, ARIPO and EUIPO. It featured group exercises, simulations, and role-playing components aimed at developing high-quality patent drafting skills. In addition to over 30 participants taking part on-site in Banjul, others followed the workshop remotely, expanding its reach. The intensive, hands-on training aimed to improve innovators’ patent drafting skills to help them make effective use of the patent system and better compete on the global stage.

Collaborative effort to foster innovation

This joint initiative reflects the shared commitment of the EPO, epi, EUIPO, ARIPO, and the Industrial Property Registration Office of The Gambia to advancing innovation-led development in Africa and promoting technology transfer, economic growth and intra-African trade.