The 20th Joint Commission meeting between the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) and the French National Institute of Industrial Property ( INPI-France ) was held on April 1, 2026, in Lomé , Togo. This meeting is part of a long-standing and strong partnership aimed at strengthening the protection and promotion of intellectual property (IP) in French-speaking Africa.
Evaluation of the 2024–2025 plan and projection towards 2026–2027
At the heart of the discussions between Directors General Denis BOHOUSSOU and Pascal Faure, the two institutions carried out an evaluation of the 2024–2025 work plan, which enabled several structuring actions in terms of technical cooperation, training and awareness-raising within the framework of the Francophone IP Alliance .
The meeting also helped to define priority areas for collaboration for the years 2026 and 2027, in a dynamic of adaptation to emerging challenges: rise in IP litigation , development of innovation, increased need for support for businesses and strengthening of the capacities of IP offices.
Strategic topics at the heart of the discussions
Several major issues concerning the future of intellectual property in the region were examined, including:
• the functioning of the Francophone Alliance of IP offices, an initiative aimed at federating training, awareness-raising and dissemination of best practices actions;
• the symposium dedicated to the ten years of the Bangui Agreement-Acts of Bamako , an important step in the evolution of the legal framework of intellectual property in the OAPI zone ;
• Strengthening capacities in the application of IP rights, a crucial issue in a context of increasing IP-related disputes and the fight against counterfeiting ;
• the evaluation of the operational efficiency of OAPI, with a view to continuous improvement of services offered to users.
Through these themes, the two Organizations reaffirm their commitment to structuring an ambitious cooperation, focused on innovation, economic development and the modernization of intellectual property systems.
A direct dialogue with the Togolese private sector
The day concluded with a panel discussion at the headquarters of the National Council of Employers of Togo . Moderated by:
•The President of the National Council of Employers of Togo,
•the Director General of OAPI,
•The Director General of INPI France,
This panel brought together more than thirty Togolese business leaders. Discussions focused on key topics for business competitiveness, including:
• the strategic role of intellectual property in value creation,
• the opportunities offered by the protection of innovations,
• Collaboration between the public sector, the private sector and IP offices
• the mechanisms for combating counterfeiting, a problem that particularly affects rights holders in an open economy context.
An opportunity for Togolese businesses
For the entrepreneurs present, this meeting highlighted the multiple opportunities offered by intellectual property: securing investments, differentiation in markets, promoting local innovations, and strengthening competitiveness in the face of international competition.
The 20th Joint Commission thus confirms the commitment of OAPI and INPI-France to provide long-term support to economic actors, while consolidating an environment conducive to innovation and the protection of creations throughout the OAPI area.
