The ’AU Continental strategy for Geographical Indications in Africa 2018-2023’ was adopted by the African Union in October 2017 and endorsed as a specific deliverable of the AU-EU Summit in November 2017.

Through the development of GIs, this strategy aims to develop rural areas in Africa, preserve heritage and tradition, while helping farmers and producers in Africa to gain added-value for their quality products. It is implemented at the African, regional and national level.

The Consultative Committee has members from the African Union, the Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle (OAPI), the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) and the European Commission. In addition, it also has observers from the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD).