Stakeholders explore IP securitisation framework in Nigeria

Stakeholders met to discuss the legal, regulatory, operational, and financing considerations required to establish a framework for intellectual property securitisation in Nigeria.

The session examined how intellectual property rights, including copyrights, trademarks, patents, and other intangible assets, can be recognised, valued, and leveraged to provide businesses in Nigeria’s digital and creative sectors with better access to finance.

The engagement organised by The New Practice (TNP), a Lead Consultant for the development of the Intellectual Property (IP) Securitisation Framework for Nigeria’s Digital and Creative Ecosystems brought together a cross-section of key stakeholders from Nigeria’s public and private sectors, including representatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s National Collateral Registry (NCR), the Nigerian Copyright Commission, the Trademarks Registry, the Patents and Designs Registry, the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, financial institutions, innovators, creators, technology entrepreneurs, and legal practitioners.

The session centred on the legal, regulatory, operational, and financing considerations required to establish a viable framework for IP securitisation in Nigeria.

Discussions explored how intellectual property rights including copyrights, trademarks, patents, and related intangible assets can be recognised, accurately valued, and leveraged to unlock access to finance for businesses operating within Nigeria’s growing digital and creative sectors.

A central theme of the session was the critical yet largely untapped role that intellectual property can play in addressing the persistent financing challenges facing Nigeria’s creative and innovation-driven enterprises.

Participants noted that IP assets often represent a substantial portion of enterprise value within the technology and creative sectors, yet remain largely unrecognised as a viable collateral or investment instrument under the existing financing frameworks.

Speaking on the initiative, Partner at TNP, Samuel Esuga, said,“The creative sector’s economic potential demands tailored valuation and enforcement mechanisms to treat IP as real assets for financing. Current gaps in IP collateral recognition and enforcement pose a barrier to financing start-ups using their intangible assets.”

Stakeholders also identified key gaps within Nigeria’s existing intellectual property and secured transactions landscape that must be addressed to support the development of a functional IP-backed financing market.

Central among these was the need for standardised valuation methodologies a critical prerequisite for improving transparency, enabling accurate pricing of IP-backed financing transactions, and building the confidence of lenders and investors in this emerging asset class.

Also speaking at the session, Magnus Abeng, Co-chair Technical Commitee at iDICE said, “ The proposed IP Securitisation Framework is designed to address one of the sector’s most pressing challenges- access to capital by creating a pathway through which start-ups, innovators, and creative enterprises can leverage intellectual property assets to secure financing.”

The Project seeks to create the legal, regulatory, and institutional framework required to transform intellectual property from a protected legal right into a recognised and bankable financial asset, one capable of supporting lending, investment, and capital market transactions in Nigeria’s digital and creative economy.

The session concluded with a shared commitment among stakeholders to actively support the development of a comprehensive IP Securitisation Framework that reflects international best practices while addressing the unique needs and structures of Nigeria’s digital and creative economy.

The proposed framework is expected to contribute to improved access to finance, increased investment opportunities, and the continued growth of innovation-driven enterprises across Nigeria.