The African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) organized on April 10, 2025 in Bissau on April 10, 2025 a national seminar on the contribution of business development in Guinea-Bissau, on the sidelines of its 24th concertation meeting between the General Directorate and the National Liaison Structures (SNL) of the Member States.
Official recognition for a national symbol
The event was marked by an extraordinary council of ministers summoned by the Prime Minister, Duarte de Barros III. During this solemn ceremony, the director general of the OAPI, Denis Bohoussou, officially handed over the registration certificate of drawings and models of the traditional loincloth "Panu di Pinti", thus recognizing this textile as an element of the Bissau-Guinean cultural and ancestral heritage.
This legal protection constitutes a major step for the preservation of the traditional heritage of the country. It highlights not only the cultural and economic importance of "Panu di Pinti", but also the exceptional know-how of craftsmen who have perpetuated this traditional art for generations.
The Prime Minister encouraged the OAPI Director General to continue this protection work and said Guinea-Bissau's commitment to protect other emblematic products from the country.
OAPI strengthens its commitment to intellectual property
Through this initiative, the OAPI reaffirms its mission to promote artisanal know-how as an engine of economic, social and cultural development in its member states. The organization pursues its objectives of promoting local products, strengthening the competitiveness of local businesses and encouragement to creativity and innovation in its territory.
