1. Presentation on geographical indicators (GI) case study of AFRICA
ADVANCED MANAGEMENT CONTROL
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
PRESENTATION BY HENRY ADJEI NANA KWASI

2. WHAT ARE Gis and its requirement
Indicators that identify a good as originating in the territory of a region or locality in a territory where a given quality, reputation or other characteristics of the good is essentially attributable to its origin
Establishment and enforcement of standards
Registration and auditing of interested agencies

3. The au debate
Came to the lime light in May 2010 – Regional workshop on the Protection of Geographical Indications in the African Member States
Currently there are 47 Legal Regime for GI Protection in Africa
Trademark vesus GIs

4. Registered GIs in Africa and African Products
Kenyan coffee and Kenyan tea are registered in Kenya through certification marks
Rwandan Coffee - registered by an individual as US ‘The land of a Thousand Hills Coffee
Ethiopian Coffee – registered or in the process of being registered in 28 countries around the world including the EU
– There is a pending application for a GI on Argan Oil from the Souss Massa Dra region in Morocco
Source: S. Musungu/IQsensato 2008

5. Possibilities for African gis
Kente from Ghana Cocoa from Ghana and Ivory coast Niger Galmi Onion/Rooibos Tea/Nigerian Tomatoes

6. Trademarks vs geographical indicators
Belongs to Companies
Belongs to Regions
Serve as distinctive marks
Serve as origin indicators
Minimal establishment cost
High establishment cost
Valuable through marketing
Valuable through regional uniqueness

7. Benefits of gis in africa
ECONOMIC
Sale of Products at Premium Price
Quality and unique product assurance
NON ECONOMIC
Tourism as spillover

8. Challenges of gis in africa
Conflict with Trademarks
The role of governments;
The costs of establishing and administering a GI regime;
The costs of developing, registering and enforcing individual GI;
Foreign Market Access
Cultural Knowhow

9. Identified steps for gi implementation
Identify Potential Markets
What products are marketable
What products are tied to geographic locations
Set Standards
What quality starndards do foreign markets require
Are they feasible to the African products

10. Identified steps for gi implementation
Formulate Frameworks
Institutional frameworks
Legal frameworks
Marketing and Packaging
Foreign market access
Prominent packaging marks and cost effects on products

11. The way forward Should the AU invest in GIS?
Can GIS exist independent from other regimes of protection in Africa?
Coordination of policies. Who’s role?
African adjustment to inthernationl conventions or not
No matter what, ensuring a holistic GI policy in Africa requires not only commitment on the part of the individual regions but proper R&D, Standardization and and proper information dissermination.