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.

The event, entitled ‘Geographical Indications in Africa, State of Play and Perspectives’,  is being organised by the OAPI within the framework of the Project to support the establishment of geographical indications in OAPI Member States (PAMPIG), with the support and collaboration of the French Development Agency, the Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation in Africa (AfrIPI) project, the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development, the World Intellectual Property Organization and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, which are members of the scientific committee for this colloquium.

Highlights will include the promotion of identified or protected GI products at the OAPI and on the African continent, expert reflections aimed at fostering greater economic dynamism of labelled GIs, and the results of international cooperation to develop GIs in Africa.

High-ranking representatives and specialists from Africa and Europe will be present, as well as GI producers and promoters from Africa and five GIs supported by the AfrIPI project since 2022.

• Kilichi du Niger
• Ylang-Ylang des Comores
• Poutargue Imraguen de la Mauritanie
• Pierre de Mbigou du Gabon
• Spiruline du Tchad

This event is expected to be instrumental in the assessment of the Continental strategy on GIs commissioned by the members of the Consultative Committee (OAPI, the African Union, the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization and the European Union).