The UNFPA representative, Dr. Justin Koffi, and the Director General of OAPI, Denis L. Bohoussou, reaffirmed their shared commitment to accelerating the economic empowerment of women through intellectual property, innovation, and entrepreneurship. A cooperation set to extend to all member states of the organization.
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The African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) are taking a new step in their partnership to empower women and girls. During a working session held on May 15, 2026, at the OAPI headquarters, the two institutions reviewed the AFPI project before announcing its expansion through new structuring initiatives.
Among the main announcements is the launch, in June 2026 in Burkina Faso, of phase 2 of the “Economic Empowerment of Women through Access to Intellectual Property” (AFPI) project. This program aims to strengthen women’s access to patents, trademarks, and innovation protection tools, while integrating sexual and reproductive health issues as a lever for economic performance.
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Another major focus: the “Ingenious Women of Tomorrow” fellowship, aimed at recent graduates of the National Advanced Polytechnic School of Yaoundé. The program aims to promote their professional integration into engineering professions through mentoring, internships, skills development, and entrepreneurship.
OAPI and UNFPA also intend to further mobilize the private sector to expand funding, employment, and support opportunities for startups led by beneficiaries. For both partners, innovation and gender equality now constitute essential pillars of economic growth in Africa.
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