The Women's IP World Annual 2019/2020

CAMEROON
Name: Mary Concilia Anchang
Law Firm name:
Onambele Anchang & Associates
Country: Cameroon
Position: Managing Partner
Website: www.oaalaw.cm
Mary Concilia Anchang is married and a
mother of two wonderful children. Called
to the Cameroon Bar in 1993, she offers
a vibrant multicultural, international,
bilingual, and bijural law practice
experience. Managing partner at Onambele
Anchang & Associates (OAALAW) she has
demonstrated consistency and dedication
in 26 years of advocacy.
A full-service corporate law firm, OAALAW
serves a broad range of businesses from
various industry sectors. OAALAW offers
loyalty, diligence, compliance, and optimum
satisfaction. One of Cameroon’s most
respected female lawyers, Mary is one of the
most sought after contemporary lawyers in
Cameroon and the Central African region.
She is passionate, vibrant, and very engaging.
Her peers often revere her resolve to address
challenging matters. Her brilliance and a keen
eye for detail have earned her great recognition
from her clients.
In 2016 OAALAW won the “AI AFRICAN
“AWARDS of Excellence.
Mary is a pioneer African IP lawyer, accredited
with the African organisation of Intellectual
& Industrial property (OAPI) since 1994. Her
IP practice spreads into 17 countries, within
French-speaking Africa.
In 1998, Mary was appointed to advise the
Cameroonian Association of ‘Inventor’s
and Innovators on ‘’HEPASOR,” a cure for
hepatitis, Mary founded “The Foundation
for the Promotion of Innovation /Inventions
and Artistic Designs” (FPI) to promote local
research and the transfer of technology. FPI
and OAPI Inventions/Inventors participated
at the International Exhibition Fair (INPEX)
with Dr. Nakammatz, the inventor of Viagra in
1999 at The BBC Tomorrow’s WORLD London
Exhibition Fair. FPI received an award and Mr.
John Trevor the inventor of the “Touch lamp”
visited FPI. Furthermore, FPI and OAALAW
accompanied the invention of VANHIVAX, a
therapeutic vaccine for HIV/AIDS.
In 2006, Mary was appointed as arbitrator and
court member of the International Court of
Arbitration, at The International Chamber of
Trade & Commerce (ICC) in Paris. She became
the first Pioneer African Female appointed to
this office since its creation from 2006-2010.
A founding member of the Cameroon National
Committee of The International Chamber of
Trade & Commerce (ICC) she presided the IP
and Arbitration commission from 2004-2014
and was a member of the same in Paris until
2014.
In her finest hour, in 2015 coupled with her
legal practice she became The Founding
Chair of “The AFRICAN CHAMBER OF TRADE
& COMMERCE” (ACC). During this initiative,
Mary pledges to bring her experience and
knowledge into a project that she is passionate
about. “Institutional Advocacy for ‘Africa’s
Socio-Economic Development.”
She is convinced of the need to promote IP
asset ownership in Africa for improved wealthcreating
entrepreneurial activities. She believes
validating African inventions and innovations
derived from R&D and appropriation of
the rich, diverse, mutating, and fascinating
cultural heritage of Africans is mandatory to
conquering new markets.
In 2018 ACC organised the 1st International
Forum on the Production and Transformation
of Cotton, Textile & Accessories (FICOTA 2018)
with the 2nd Edition in 2020. The Cotton,
Textile, Accessories, and Fashion sector in Africa
are a vision ACC works to optimise for wealth
creation and job opportunities.
(www.africanchamber-abo.org)
In 2018, Mary was recognised amongst 100
of the finest professional women in a book
titled “WOMEN PIONEERS IN DISPUTE
RESOLUTION” by Arbitral Women.
Mary is also an active member of INTA,
ARBITRALWOMEN, AMOAPI, FPI, etc.
When Mary isn’t working, she enjoys travelling,
music, dance, sports, and supporting charities
in any way she can.
14
15