Africa Brand Protection

Our Africa Brand Protection Practice is designed to tackle these challenges head-on. With a robust on-ground presence, trusted regional networks, and indepth knowledge of national IP systems across African jurisdictions, we provide customised, efficient, and commercially savvy solutions that safeguard brands across the continent.

A Truly African Practice

We recognise that effective brand protection in Africa requires more than legal expertise—it demands cultural fluency, sectoral insight, and the ability to navigate complex, often fragmented enforcement regimes. Our strength lies in our extensive continent-wide reach, strategic relationships with local practitioners, regulators and enforcement agencies, and our proven track record of swift and effective cross-border action.

We are proud to partner with clients doing business in Africa, supporting their growth by safeguarding their brands across diverse industries, including FMCG, pharmaceuticals, fashion, automotive, technology, and agriculture.

Our Africa-Focused Services

Strategic Advisory on Brand Protection in Africa

We provide practical, actionable guidance to clients seeking to protect their brands across multiple African countries. From assessing local risks to designing tailored enforcement strategies for each jurisdiction, our advice combines local expertise with global best practices.

Pan-African Market Investigations

We coordinate and conduct investigations across the continent, encompassing physical market surveys, covert operations, and online monitoring. Our team has a proven track record of tracking infringing activity in various settings, including major urban centres, informal markets, warehouses, and online platforms, gathering actionable intelligence that enables swift and effective enforcement.

Regulatory Enforcement

Leveraging our long-standing relationships with customs agencies, police units, and sector regulators across Africa, we coordinate and support raid actions, seizures, and prosecutions, delivering effective enforcement solutions.

Border Protection: Customs Recordals

We assist with customs recordal procedures in several African jurisdictions, empowering authorities to intercept counterfeit goods at entry points. This is a crucial layer of protection for brand owners with regional distribution networks.

IP Litigation Across African Courts

Our IP litigation team has successfully represented global brands in high-profile trademark and copyright disputes across Africa. We manage complex litigation portfolios spanning multiple jurisdictions, collaborating with our trusted legal network to ensure seamless cross-border coordination.

Trademark Oppositions & Watch Services

We monitor trademarks across African IP registries, both local and regional, and proactively challenge infringing or confusingly similar filings. Our trademark opposition and cancellation strategies are informed by in-depth knowledge of local registry practices and timelines, ensuring effective protection for our clients' brands.

Domain Name Dispute Resolution

As Africa's digital landscape expands, we assist clients recovering domain names that infringe on their trademarks through the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) process. Our expertise covers generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs) such as .com, .org, and .net, as well as country-code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs) across Africa."

E-Commerce Monitoring Across African Markets

As online marketplaces expand across Africa, digital brand threats escalate. We proactively track and take action against infringers on African e-commerce platforms, social media storefronts, and grey market sites, protecting brand reputation and minimising consumer confusion.

Why Leading Brands Choose Us for Africa

• Proven expertise in over 35 African jurisdictions

• Strong local relationships with regulators, customs, and law enforcement

• Seamless coordination with trusted affiliates across multiple jurisdictions

• Swift and strategic cross-border action

• In-depth sector knowledge and experience navigating Africa’s unique commercial landscapes

• Recognised excellence by top-tier international IP directories

At Jackson, Etti & Edu, we intimately understand the African marketplace, enforcement landscape, and practical realities facing brands operating across the continent. Whether you are expanding into a new African market or scaling up across borders, we are your trusted partner for protecting brand integrity and driving long-term value—anywhere in Africa.