The auditorium of the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) vibrated this Thursday, September 11, during the solemn opening of the international colloquium marking the 20th anniversary of the Denis EKANI Academy of Intellectual Property (APIDE).
This continent-wide event simultaneously celebrates:
The opening ceremony, chaired by Professor Virginie YANPELDA , Technical Advisor representing the Minister of State, Minister of Higher Education of Cameroon, brought together leading figures:
- Representatives from international partner offices (EUIPO, JPO, CNIPA, OMPIC, CEIPI)
- The representative of the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization
- His Excellency the Ambassador of Japan accredited to Cameroon
- The Ambassadors and Consuls of the OAPI Member States
- World-renowned international and national experts
- Alumni of the Master's program in Intellectual Property
In his welcoming address, Dr. Denis BOHOUSSOU , Director General of OAPI, highlighted the institution's remarkable transformation: "Twenty years after its creation, the OAPI Academy now stands as a true center of excellence in intellectual property training, a leading incubator of skills, and a powerful driver of transformation for our member states."
APIDE currently relies on:
- Strategic partnerships with renowned universities (University of Yaoundé II SOA, Thomas SANKARA University, National Polytechnic Institute of Yamoussoukro)
- A diverse range of training programs including a professional master's degree in patent engineering, a certificate of aptitude for collective management, and African training on geographical indications.
- A continental and international reach recognized by global partner institutions
- Hundreds of trained professionals – lawyers, engineers, economists and decision-makers.
A Strategic Challenge for Africa
The representative of the Minister of Higher Education reiterated the crucial importance of APIDE's human resource capacity-building mission: "In the modern economy, training highly qualified human resources in the field of intellectual property is the essential condition for enabling our countries to fully benefit from the fruits of their creativity and innovation."
This two-day symposium (September 11-12, 2025) aims to answer strategic questions:
- How to massively and qualitatively develop human resources in intellectual property?
- How can we strengthen the impact of intellectual property in public development policies?
- How can APIDE become an even more strategic player in the training of African talent?
A Living Legacy
The Academy proudly bears the name of Mr. Denis EKANI , an emblematic figure and great builder of OAPI who wisely presided over the destinies of the Organization for nearly two decades.
September 13th of this year is marked by a triple celebration:
- The 20th anniversary of the Denis EKANI Academy – a leading institution for training in intellectual property;
- The 26th African Day of Technology and Intellectual Property, established by the African Union (AU), formerly the Organization of African Unity (OAU);
- The 63rd anniversary of the creation of OAPI.
