The Director General of OAPI, Denis L. Bohoussou, appointed sponsor of the first class of the Professional University Certificate in Judicial Practice of Intellectual Property (IP) Litigation, of the Catholic University of Central Africa (UCAC).
A launch ceremony marked by excellence on February 27, 2026, marks a major step in strengthening specialized legal skills in intellectual property in the sub-region.
A pioneering university program in Central Africa
This new professional certificate represents a significant academic innovation, designed to meet the growing need for specialization in an environment where:
- The value of intangible assets is increasing significantly
- Innovative creators and businesses are demanding stronger legal protection
- Counterfeiting and infringement of intellectual property rights are on the rise
- Intellectual property disputes require harmonized and reliable legal expertise.
By bringing together teacher-researchers, legal practitioners, judges, lawyers and authorized representatives of the OAPI, this program structures a unique training framework dedicated to mastering IP litigation, its application, interpretation and practice.
The ceremony took place in the presence of:
- From the representative of the Minister of State, Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals of Cameroon,
- From the Director General of OAPI,
- From the President of the African Network of Intellectual Property Magistrates (RAMPI),
- Academic authorities from UCAC,
- Authorized representatives registered with OAPI and,
- Listeners from this first cohort.
This institutional and academic mobilization demonstrates the strategic importance given to the training of practitioners specializing in a key area of economic development: intellectual property.
A committed sponsor: the vision of the Director General of OAPI
By accepting the role of sponsor, Mr. Bohoussou expressed his deep conviction regarding the potential of this first graduating class.
He emphasized that supporting these emerging talents is not just a commitment, but an essential responsibility to provide the region with experts capable of:
- To guarantee enhanced legal certainty,
- Supporting creators, inventors and entrepreneurs,
- To contribute to a specialized, coherent and modern justice system,
- Effectively protect innovations against the risks of counterfeiting and unfair competition.
The Director General also assured the learners of his constant support in their journey, encouraging them to develop solid expertise to serve economic and social challenges.
Through this sponsorship, OAPI is positioning itself as a key player in the training of future IP litigation experts, capable of supporting business growth, encouraging creativity, and actively participating in the development of competitive and knowledge-based economies.
Towards a new generation of IP litigation specialists
This pioneering class of UCAC opens the way to a new dynamic; that of a structured skills development, aligned with international standards, in the service of sustainable development based on innovation.
OAPI and its Director General remain committed to supporting initiatives that contribute to making intellectual property a powerful lever for economic and social transformation in the French-speaking African space.
