The Pan-African
Geographical Indications
information hub

The Intellectual Property and Innovation in Africa project (AfrIPI) proudly announces its ongoing support for the African Union's (AU) Continental Strategy for geographical indications (GIs). This strategy provides a comprehensive roadmap for African Union Commission members and critical stakeholders to help develop, promote, and protect GIs throughout Africa. This initiative raises awareness on Africa's unique products and empowers its producers.

On 17 April 2024, the Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation in Africa (AfrIPI) project hosted a thematic dinner on geographical indications (GIs) in Douala, Cameroon, as part of the international colloquium and trade fair on GIs in Africa.

Africa boasts a dazzling array of products, from the rich Harar Yirgacheffe Sidamo coffee of Ethiopia to the intricate Taita baskets of Kenya. But these treasures face a challenge: copycats trying to exploit their reputation. This is where geographical indications (GIs) come in, shielding Africa’s most unique offerings.

From 17 to 19 April 2024 in Douala, Cameroon, the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) is organising an international conference on the development of geographical indications in Africa, to be held as part of the Trade Fair for protected geographical indication (PGI) products on the African continent.

On 14 November 2023, the AfrIPI Project organised a restitution workshop in Nouakchott, Mauritania on the geographical indication (GI) ‘Poutargue Imraguen’, in collaboration with the African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI).

The hybrid workshop was organised with the support of the Delegation of the European Union in Mauritania (DUE), OAPI National Liaison Structure, and Imraguen women processors. National and international authorities were also present, along with civil society associations.

On 18 October 2023, the AfrIPI Project organised a restitution workshop on the geographical indication ‘Pierre de Mbigou’ from Gabon, in collaboration with the African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI).

The hybrid workshop was organised with the support of the European Union Delegation in Gabon and was attended by representatives of the Coopérative des Produits Artisanaux de Mbigou (COOPAM), the OAPI National Liaison Structure in Gabon (OGAPI), Internal Trade and Crafts Departments in Libreville.

The AfrIPI project, in collaboration with the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), organised a workshop on the geographical indication Ylang-Ylang des Comores on 15 September 2023 in Moroni, Comoros.

This workshop, supported by the European Union Delegation in Comoros, the AFIDEV project (Support for export sectors and rural development in the Union of the Comoros), and the OAPI National Liaison Office, was honoured by the presence of the Secretary General of the Comoros’ Ministry of Agriculture.

Egypt is working towards adopting a sui generis protection framework for geographical indications (GIs) and their registration. The AfrIPI project and the Egyptian Trademark Office have been exploring various ways to support GIs in Egypt.

The 5th African Union (AU) – European Union (EU) Agricultural Ministerial Conference took place on 30 June 2023 in Rome. The event provided an opportunity for AU and EU Ministers of Agriculture to exchange views and share best practices on the development of more resilient food systems and sustainable agriculture value chains.

A roundtable on the role of geographical indications (GIs) in sustainable development was organised on 7 February 2023 by the French Development Agency (AFD) and the French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM). The topic ‘what lessons can be learned to improve the contribution of projects to sustainable development?’ was addressed.