OAPI-AGF partnership to finance a thousand innovative African projects by 2030
The African Organization for Intellectual Property (OAPI) and the African Guarantee Fund (AGF) have launched an ambitious initiative to finance a thousand innovative projects across several African countries by 2030. The partnership includes a large capital investment by OAPI in the AGF, as well as a guarantee window covering up to 75% of loan risks for innovative SMEs with patents. Support services, such as mentoring and business modelling, will also be provided.
Although OAPI currently boasts seventeen members from among the predominantly French-speaking African nations, the number of annually granted patents is known to be low (i.e. hundreds rather than thousands of granted patents). An initiative to nurture and reward businesses which generate useful intellectual property portfolios would be beneficial both for the businesses themselves, and for the economies of these countries.
Project selection is slated to begin in the third quarter of this year.
Niger accedes to the Marrakesh Treaty
The Republic of Niger, a member state of the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), has acceded to the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, V...
August 19 2026
OAPI highlights IP’s role in African craft innovation
At the Ninth International Handicrafts Fair of Cameroon (SIARC 2026), held in Yaoundé from 27 July to 5 August, the OAPI showcased the importance of IP protection in promoting innovation and competit...
August 19 2026
Côte d’Ivoire hosts fourth Africa GI training programme
OAPI has launched the fourth edition of the Africa GI Training programme in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, bringing together 18 participants from 13 member states. The programme aims to strengthen experti...
August 19 2026