Wednesday, July 16, 2025, The Finale. On the eve of the official closing of the 66th Annual Meetings in Geneva, OAPI took another step in its strategic cooperation with WIPO . The day was marked by the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding between the Director General of WIPO, Daren Tang , and the Director General of OAPI, Denis BOHOUSSOU.
A network to stimulate technological innovation
The first Agreement concerns the creation of a network of Technology and Innovation Support Centers ( CATI) , based on the Intellectual Property Documentation Centers ( CDPI ) already established in the OAPI member states . This network aims to strengthen collaboration between the various CDPIs, promote the sharing of scientific and technological information, and encourage technology transfer, an essential catalyst for the development of local innovation.
Renewal of the Academic Partnership
The second agreement renews the collaboration with the University of Yaoundé II for the organization of the Master's program in IP . Since 2015, this program has trained nearly 500 professionals from OAPI member states and other countries around the world, thus contributing to the expansion of regional expertise in IP.
Promising prospects
The Directors General of OAPI and WIPO also reviewed the projects stemming from the HIPOC (Head of Intellectual Property Conference) held in Yaoundé in June 2024.
These projects include the development of national IP strategies, the promotion of Geographical Indications and support for the establishment of national innovation ecosystems in Member States.
Furthermore, the regional meeting on the development of the cultural industry, which will be held in the coming days, and strategies for leveraging copyright in the field of sport were discussed, paving the way for new concrete initiatives.
Future commitments and international cooperation
Mr. Tang confirmed his participation in the next HIPOC conference, scheduled for 2026 in one of the OAPI member states. WIPO has also been invited to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Denis Ekani Intellectual Property Academy – APIDE in September 2025.
The day was punctuated by fruitful exchanges between the Director General of OAPI and Hasan KLEIB, Deputy Director General of WIPO, regarding the engineering-patent training at the Houphouët Boigny University of Yamoussoukro .
To conclude this participation in the WIPO Member States' Assemblies, the day ended with a meeting with Konstantisnos Georgaras, President and CEO of OPIC , who highlighted the increase in filings originating from the OAPI region in Canada and those of Canadian nationals with OAPI. The parties will also define, in a 2026 work plan, activities of common interest in the areas of training and awareness-raising.
Symbolizing this growing dynamic in the intensification of trade and scientific exchanges between Canada and the member states of OAPI, a copy of a patent jointly filed by a Malian and a Canadian was given to Mr. BOHOUSSOU.
