The African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) has taken a new step in its commitment to regional economic development. In partnership with the Office of the European Union for Intellectual Property (EUIPO) through the intellectual property and innovation property rights project in Africa (Afripi) , the OAPI deploys an innovative mentoring program aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of the SMEs in its Member States. This initiative launched on November 14, 2024 by a webinar of information for intellectual property experts from its member states, aims to support SMEs in the strategic use of intellectual property as an actor that can significantly impact their economic and commercial expansion.
The project in its pilot phase is carried out for the SMEs and experts in intellectual property of Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire which, with tools in terms of prior intellectual property diagnosis (IP scan) will be able to make tailor -made proposals for these SMEs concerning the identified intellectual property assets or other data collected within them. In the medium term, the project aims to extend to all of its member states. The importance of the implementation of such an initiative further strengthens the role that OAPI plays as an institution resolutely engaged in the service of economic development of its member states
