Five intellectual property practitioners from Africa have been named to the World IP Review (WIPR) Influential Women in IP 2026 list, an annual recognition of female leaders shaping IP law, policy, and practice worldwide. The list was published on 8 July and spans private practice, corporate legal departments, academia, and international institutions.
African Honorees
- Tolu Olaloye, partner at Jackson Etti & Edu, Nigeria
- Lara Kayode, managing partner at O. Kayode & Co, Nigeria
- Bilkis Daby, partner at Adams & Adams, South Africa
- Brenda Matanga, founder of BMatanga Intellectual Property Attorneys, Zimbabwe
- Angela Ndambuki, Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa at the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI)
Olaloye, whose practice covers IP protection and commercialisation across more than 40 African jurisdictions as well as ASEAN and the Middle East, described the recognition as a reflection of the broader momentum in the field.
“The future of intellectual property is being shaped now,” Olaloye said. “This recognition reveals not only my journey, but also the incredible value of the work being done to shape, strengthen, and expand the frontiers of intellectual property in the global space.”
She added that she remains dedicated to contributing to a system that protects innovation, empowers creators, and deepens the conversation around IP in an increasingly digital and interconnected world. In a separate social media statement, Olaloye said she was grateful to stand among women whose excellence, resilience, and leadership continue to inspire progress across the industry, calling the honour both a celebration and a call to push boundaries and advance the impact of intellectual property for individuals, businesses, and societies.
Daby, a partner at Adams & Adams, described by WIPR as Africa’s largest IP firm, chairs the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee and serves on the International Trademark Association (INTA)‘s global Women’s LeadershIP Initiative. Ndambuki leads IFPI’s Sub-Saharan Africa operations, representing the recorded music industry across the region.
WIPR stated that the 2026 list honours women working on complex matters with significant commercial implications, as well as those engaged in international IP policy and global legal operations. “The final 2026 list stands as an inspiring testament to the depth of female leadership strengthening the intellectual property system worldwide,” the publication said.
