WeFranchiz.com proudly took part in an important international webinar organized by leading African franchise experts, bringing together voices from Tunisia, Nigeria, and beyond to discuss the critical role of franchising, intellectual property (IP) protection, and regional economic development.

The event, organized by the Nigerian Franchise Association (NIFA) in collaboration with regulators such as the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), and supported by the broader franchising ecosystem in Nigeria, aimed to spark a continental dialogue on how franchising can unlock new opportunities for entrepreneurs, SMEs, and investors across Africa.

WeFranchiz, represented by its founder Rym Bedoui Ayari, was honored to share Tunisia’s unique journey and practical experiences in developing local franchise models and promoting IP protection as a foundation for sustainable franchising growth.

Why Intellectual Property Protection Matters for Franchising in Africa

Throughout the discussions, one point was crystal clear: Franchising cannot thrive without a strong framework for protecting intellectual property rights.

In Africa, where many SMEs and businesses are family-run or informally structured, failure to secure trademarks, operational systems, or brand identities puts both franchisors and franchisees at high risk. Without a registered trademark and a protected business concept, franchise agreements lose their value, leaving entrepreneurs vulnerable to disputes and legal challenges.

« Franchising is built on three pillars: a brand, a unique business concept, and a technology or know-how transfer. If you sell a franchise without protecting your brand, you’re not just making a business mistake — you’re exposing yourself to legal fraud risks. »

WeFranchiz strongly advocates for early IP protection as an essential step before expanding any brand through franchising — a practice it systematically promotes among Tunisian entrepreneurs.

Tunisia’s Achievements: A Model for Local Franchise Growth

• The emergence of 56+ local franchise models developed with WeFranchiz support over the past few years.
• The growth of the Tunisia Franchise Show, from 25 to 48 exhibitors in just two years.
• The launch of Tunisia’s only Franchise Barometer to track trends, investor interest, and key sectors.
• Promotion of micro-franchising and social franchising for accessible business models.

Moreover, Tunisia’s regulatory framework distinguishes between sectors open to foreign franchises and those requiring government authorization (education, fitness, fast food), protecting both local initiatives and national currency reserves.

Facing challenges such as currency exchange restrictions and import complexities, the Tunisian private sector — supported by platforms like WeFranchiz — has increasingly turned towards building local brands, promoting economic sovereignty while creating new franchise champions ready to expand regionally.

Strengthening Tunisia-Nigeria Franchise Collaboration

This webinar marked an important moment for South-South collaboration in franchising. It showcased how Tunisia’s experience in structured local franchising and Nigeria’s dynamic market potential could inspire each other to build stronger, more resilient business ecosystems — with IP protection and entrepreneurship at the core.

At WeFranchiz, we believe the future of franchising in Africa lies in empowering local brands, protecting intellectual assets, and fostering cross-border growth.

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