The Africa IP SME Helpdesk supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the European Union (EU) to both protect and enforce their Intellectual Property (IP) rights in/or relating to Africa by providing free information and services. These comprise jargon-free, first-line, confidential advice on intellectual property and related issues, as well as training, materials and online resources.
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Find more information about the team, partners and the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Helpline
Our Intellectual Property experts provide professional, confidential and tailor-made answers to your IP-related questions within a maximum of 3 working days
IP Resources Library
This library provides open-access IP materials especially designed for EU SMEs doing business in Africa
Kontaktieren Sie uns
E-mail: africa [dot] iphelpdeskeuipo [dot] europa [dot] eu (africa[dot]iphelpdesk[at]euipo[dot]europa[dot]eu)
Phone Number: Europe (Spain): +34 96 513 9810
Opening hours: Monday to Friday – 8:30 to 18:30 (CET/CEST)
Africa - Latest News
![AfrIPI at EU-Ghana Business Forum](https://intellectual-property-helpdesk.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-07/AfrIPI_2nd%20Ghana-Business%20Forum.jpg?h=d1cb525d&itok=cCv3ZHYP)
The AfrIPI team, led by Deputy Project Leader Carlos Lleo, engaged in the EU-Ghana Business Forum to discuss with stakeholders the significance of intellectual property (IP) in business operations.
![Collage of images from the forum](https://intellectual-property-helpdesk.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-07/Africa-news-2024_Nigeria-EU-Business-Forum.jpg?h=d1cb525d&itok=_bpQMGkW)
On 2 July 2024, Nigerian and European business leaders, policymakers and institutional stakeholders converged in Abuja to identify and explore investment opportunities during the 9th European Union-Nigeria Business Forum, themed ‘Investing in Jobs and a Sustainable Future’.
![YourEurope](https://intellectual-property-helpdesk.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-06/2.png?h=d27dbe0d&itok=WnqrD1Ey)
As of March 2024, the European IP Helpdesk and International IP SME Helpdesks have been fully integrated into the Single Digital Gateway and is accessible through the Assistance Service Finder.
![](https://intellectual-property-helpdesk.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-02/Africa_news-2024_Promote2024-yaoundey.jpg?h=d1cb525d&itok=VZBoy1yK)
From 17 to 25 February 2024, AfrIPI and the Africa IP SME Helpdesk participated in the ninth International Trade Fair for Business, SMEs and Partnerships in Yaoundé (PROMOTE), Cameroon.
![](https://intellectual-property-helpdesk.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-03/stakeholders%20conference%202024%20banner%20-%20EC%20square.png?h=8374ff21&itok=3vazGkIg)
International IP SME Helpdesks' Stakeholders Conference Explores Role of Intellectual Property in SMEs' Global Ventures.
![](https://intellectual-property-helpdesk.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2023-11/antoine-schibler-KF3Ty-K6NVA-unsplash.jpg?h=a141e9ea&itok=4LU3L-TS)
It is essential that SMEs consider protecting their creations through intellectual property and efficiently manage these assets to reap the most from their investment in Europe.