On April 3, 2025, Togo marked a historic stage in the enhancement of its agricultural heritage with the official certification of Kovié rice as a protected geographical induction (IGP). The certificate presentation ceremony took place in Kovié, a town located about 40 kilometers from Lomé, the Togolese capital.
A ceremony marked with symbols
The event gathered a large crowd made up of local producers, traditional authorities and government representatives. Mr. Sikpa Atsouvi Yawo, representing the Minister of Industry and the Promotion of Investments of Togo, received the precious certificate of the hands of Mr. Denis Bohoussou, Director General of the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), before symbolically transmitting it to the President of the Association for the Promotion and Protection of the IG RIZ in Kovié (APIG).
Another highlight of the ceremony was the delivery of the IGP logo to the president of the National Committee of IG (CNIG) of Togo, Mr. Feou Bilakimwé. This logo will now serve as an official tool for control, labeling, marketing and defense of the product on 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 (OMPI), underlined the international importance of this recognition. Ms. Grazioli also led technical workshops to train the members of the APIG and the CNIG on the lasting management of IGPs, covering the technical, legal and professional aspects essential to the success of this approach.
A lever for local economic development
This IGP certification represents the culmination of a fruitful partnership between the OAPI, the OMPI and the People's Republic of China for the promotion of geographic indications in the OAPI zone. It opens up new perspectives for the promotion of Kovié rice at national, regional and international scales.
The enthusiasm manifested during this ceremony reflects the pride of Kovié rice farmers and rice farmers, for whom this recognition constitutes an opportunity for significant improvement in their living conditions. The OAPI director general expressed the wish that this first Togolese IGP inspires the labeling of other emblematic products in the country, promising the continuous support of its organization to ensure the influence and sustainability of this new certification.
Kovié's rice, 17th IGP of OAPI space
with this certification, Kovié rice joins the prestigious list of 17 products benefiting from IGP in the OAPI space. This distinctive cereal, slightly scented, of fusiform shape and milky whitish color in its raw state which becomes entirely white for cooking, is cultivated in the fertile valley of the Zio.
This official recognition marks not only an important advance for Togolese agriculture, but also constitutes a model for the promotion of African agricultural heritage, demonstrating how intellectual property mechanisms can contribute concretely to local economic development.
