July 15, 2025, marked another strategic day for OAPI, which was engaged in a series of high-level meetings on the sidelines of the WIPO in Geneva . These discussions helped to consolidate existing partnerships, explore new avenues for collaboration, and address key issues for the development of intellectual property (IP) in Africa.
Enhanced dialogue with OMPIC
The day began with a meeting between Director General Denis BOHOUSSOU and Abdelaziz BABQIQI , Director General of OMPIC . The two counterparts praised the dynamic cooperation between their institutions, particularly in the areas of training, human resources, the promotion of IP systems, and support for innovation and SMEs.
They agreed on concrete next steps, including a planned bilateral meeting in Yaoundé , with a particular focus on sharing strategies to strengthen the protection of IP assets by entrepreneurs.
Initial discussions with the new head of IPOS Singapore
On the same day, Mr. BOHOUSSOU also met with the Director General of IPOS , Tan HWEE KONG . This initial contact laid the groundwork for future cooperation focused on capacity building and the sharing of IP asset valuation tools. The objective is to promote better leveraging of these assets as access to financing for startups and SMEs in OAPI member states.
Strategic exchanges with WIPO
To conclude the day's agenda, a working lunch brought together the OAPI delegation and the WIPO Vice Director General in charge of trademarks, designs and models, Binying WANG .
Discussions focused on the strategy for promoting industrial designs and models in OAPI member states , as well as on optimizing the tools for processing international applications, particularly with regard to geographical indications .
Focusing on the major events of 2025
These meetings also provided an opportunity for Mr. BOHOUSSOU to invite his interlocutors to this year's flagship OAPI events:
- APIDE Intellectual Property Academy ;
- THE OAPI Brand Awardsfrom October 8th to 10th Libreville ;
- The OAPI Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for December.
