On April 3, 2025, Togo marked a historic milestone in the development of its agricultural heritage with the official certification of Kovié rice as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). The certificate presentation ceremony took place in Kovié, a town located approximately 40 kilometers from Lomé, the Togolese capital.
symbolic
event brought together a large crowd of local producers, traditional leaders, and government representatives. Mr. SIKPA Atsouvi Yawo, representing the Togolese Minister of Industry and Investment Promotion, received the prestigious certificate from Mr. Denis BOHOUSSOU, Director General of the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), before symbolically handing it over to the president of the Association for the Promotion and Protection of the Kovié Rice PGI (APIG).
Another highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the PGI logo to Mr. FEOU Bilakimwé, President of the National Committee for Geographical Indications (CNIG) of Togo. This logo will now serve as the official tool for monitoring, labeling, marketing, and protecting the product in the markets.
International Support
: The presence of Ms. Alexandra Grazioli, Director of the Lisbon System and representative of the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), underscored the international significance of this recognition. Ms. Grazioli also led technical workshops to train members of APIG and CNIG on the sustainable management of PGIs, covering the essential technical, legal, and professional aspects for the success of this process.
A Lever for Local Economic Development:
This PGI certification represents the culmination of a fruitful partnership between OAPI, WIPO, and the People's Republic of China for the promotion of geographical indications in the OAPI zone. It opens new perspectives for promoting Kovié rice at the national, regional, and international levels.
The enthusiasm displayed at the ceremony reflects the pride of the rice farmers of Kovié, for whom this recognition represents an opportunity to significantly improve their living conditions. The Director General of OAPI expressed his hope that this first Togolese PGI would inspire the certification of other emblematic products of the country, promising the continued support of his organization to ensure the reach and sustainability of this new certification.
Kovié rice, the 17th PGI in the OAPI region:
With this certification, Kovié rice joins the prestigious list of 17 products benefiting from a PGI in the OAPI region. This distinctive, slightly fragrant, spindle-shaped grain, milky white when raw and turning completely white when cooked, is cultivated in the fertile Zio Valley.
This official recognition not only marks an important step forward for Togolese agriculture, but also constitutes a model for the valorization of African agricultural heritage, demonstrating how intellectual property mechanisms can contribute concretely to local economic development.
