As artificial intelligence (AI) systems continue to advance, the demand for high-quality, diverse, and representative datasets has never been greater. For Africa, whose cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic diversity holds immense potential to shape AI innovation, the question of how datasets are accessed, shared, and protected is critical. Yet, African datasets often face risks of misappropriation, under-licensing, and exclusion from global data governance conversations.
This webinar explores the intersection of artificial intelligence, intellectual property (IP), and data licensing with a focus on the African context. It will examine how licensing frameworks can be designed to protect African datasets, promote equitable participation in global AI development, and balance the need for research and innovation with legal safeguards.

Key issues to be discussed include:
-The role of IP law in defining ownership, access, and control of African datasets.
-The role of licensing in ensuring ethical and legal use of African datasets.
-Current challenges around ownership, control, and access to African data.
-Emerging models such as the NOODL License, designed specifically to address gaps in dataset licensing in Africa.
-How licensing can support text and data mining (TDM) for research while safeguarding local knowledge and interests.
-Opportunities for policymakers, researchers, and innovators to strengthen Africa’s position in global AI through IP-informed data governance.

By bringing together legal experts, policymakers, researchers, and innovators, the session aims to spark a constructive dialogue on building licensing systems that protect African datasets while enabling responsible AI-driven innovation.