In May, IPA and some of its African members have been continuing their efforts for policymakers to organize urgent consultations, following the AfCFTA Secretariat’s 5th and 6th Meetings of the Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (CIPR), on 7–18 April 2025 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, which “have commenced formal negotiations on the draft Annexes to the AfCFTA Protocol on Intellectual Property Rights”. The main message is clear: matters that have such far-reaching implications on creative industries should not be progressed without their involvement. Publishers believe the Secretariat’s unique role in convening member states and creative industries’ stakeholders is essential, as consultations are a necessary and beneficial step towards achieving a legal framework that can support African publishing. Ideally, consultations should take place before the next CIPR meeting in June, preferably through a combination of online meetings and written submissions. Thus far, the AfCFTA Secretariat hasn’t responded yet, but African publishers will continue their efforts to support a high level of copyright protection in Africa.