On July 28 and 29, 2025, Yaoundé hosted the joint regional conference of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), organized in collaboration with the Cameroonian Government. A major event focused on innovation , creativity and the development of the orange economy in the OAPI region. The meeting brought together experts in the field, decision-makers and cultural stakeholders.
Dynamic panels, enriching themes and constructive discussions
During these two intense days, experts from diverse backgrounds and participants from OAPI member states took part in five high-level panels that explored the opportunities offered by copyright as a lever for growth for cultural industries. The discussions also made it possible to draw up a SWOT (Strengths and Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) map of key sectors such as publishing , music and audiovisual . Concrete perspectives emerged to strengthen the structuring and professionalization of these sectors.
Concrete ideas for effective strategies
The work resulted in the formulation of strategies aimed at:
- Promote collective management of copyright ,
- Encourage the paid use of cultural works,
- Optimizing digital infrastructure for better access to global markets,
- Stimulate the development of local solutions adapted to African realities.
Copyright: an engine of inclusive growth
At the opening of the conference, the Cameroonian Minister of Arts and Culture, Ismaël Bidoung MKPATT, recalled that "the development of the cultural industry in Cameroon remains embryonic and faces many challenges: the informality of certain activities, the lack of structuring and financing, the need to better promote cultural heritage ." Obstacles to overcome for which intellectual property constitutes a strategic tool for emancipation, economic growth and job creation which would help to fully exploit this potential, he added.
WIPO's Africa Division Director, Loretta Asiedu, highlighted that : "Cultural and creative industries generate more than $2.25 trillion in revenue annually and employ more than 30 million people worldwide."
An immense potential that African countries can harness to build inclusive and sustainable growth through the judicious use of copyright.
With this in mind, WIPO is promoting the WIPO connect , designed to support collective management organizations (CMOs) in their operation and modernization.
The Director General of OAPI, Denis BOHOUSSOU, reaffirmed the Organization's ambition within the framework of these meetings, that of: "Formulating concrete proposals and
effective actions aimed at optimizing the exploitation of copyright to truly boost the development of the creative economy in our countries." In this regard, he called for moving to the operationalization phase of mechanisms that will allow creators to live from their work.
A strong political commitment for the future
Several ministers present at this meeting also expressed their commitment to making creative industries a solid pillar of economic development in Africa and particularly in the OAPI region. These included the Minister of Industrial Development and Private Sector Promotion of Congo, Antoine Thomas Nycephore Fylla de Saint-Eudes , Chairman of the OAPI Board of Directors, as well as the Minister of Cultural, Tourism, Artistic and Leisure Industries of Congo, Lydie Pongault.
On the sidelines of the conference, the Chairman of the Board and Ms. Pongault met with the acting Cameroonian Minister of Industry, Dr. Fuh Calistus Gentry , and his counterpart in charge of culture, Bidoung Mkpatt.
Towards a stable and incentive legal framework
WIPO and OAPI are positioning themselves as key partners to support African states in implementing ambitious public policies. The objective is to create a legal environment conducive to creation, innovation, and development.
We would like to thank the distinguished experts, the directors of the copyright offices of the Member States, the partner institutions and the participants for each contribution to the success of this conference which augurs well for the growth of the creative industries in the OAPI zone.
