From February 20 to 25, 2026, OAPI was invited to participate in the General Assembly on Copyright , held in Antananarivo , Madagascar. This unifying event brings together experts, policymakers, creators, and regional organizations committed to copyright protection and the promotion of cultural and creative industries (CCIs). It provides a valuable forum for discussion and reflection on the challenges of protecting and promoting cultural works to shape the future of creative activity in the SADC region and the Indian Ocean .
The African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) is actively participating to share the region's experience in copyright protection and support for the growth of African creative industries. Represented by its Deputy Director General, Mondésir Oualou Panouala , the Organization is highlighting its growing role as a key player in the creative transformation of the African continent.
This participation is structured around several strategic axes:
- Best practices implemented in the OAPI region for the legal protection of works
- Innovative policies to support cultural and creative industries
- The central role of intellectual property in developing African talent
- Regional commitment to supporting innovation policies and the creative economy
By contributing its expertise to these General Assemblies, OAPI reaffirms its commitment to strengthening international cooperation to guide the structuring of the cultural sector and promote artistic creation as a true lever for economic development and continental influence.
Geopolitical context: SADC and Madagascar's strategic position
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is a regional organization comprising 16 countries in Southern Africa and several islands in the Indian Ocean. Madagascar, admitted as a member state in 2005, occupies a strategic position that allows it to play a central role at the crossroads of several regional, economic, and trade dynamics. This privileged location makes it a natural hub for cultural and creative cooperation in the region.
