The African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) has joined forces with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to establish a regional network of Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs) across its 17 member states. The initiative aims to improve access to intellectual property information, patent databases, and scientific and technical resources through strengthened documentation centers in the region.
According to OAPI Director General Denis Loukou Bohoussou, the TISCs are intended to serve as more than simple information hubs. They are designed to play a strategic role in the innovation value chain by supporting inventors, researchers, universities, small and medium-sized enterprises, and entrepreneurs. By providing access to patent information and specialized knowledge resources, the centers seek to create an enabling environment for a knowledge-based and creativity-driven economy.
A planning meeting held in Yaoundé on 26 and 27 February laid the foundation for operationalizing the network. Discussions focused on defining the roles of WIPO, OAPI, and member states, including financial and technical contributions, staff training, the establishment of national and regional focal points, simplified database access, and the deployment of digital tools to enhance service delivery.
The regional TISC network is intended to bring together public innovation support institutions, private sector actors, universities, research centers, and independent inventors within a coordinated framework. By fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing, OAPI aims to stimulate technological advancement and socio-economic development across its member countries.
Beyond facilitating access to patent information, the broader objective is to strengthen the protection of inventions, enhance the commercialization of research results, and improve the competitiveness of innovative small and medium-sized enterprises throughout the 17-country bloc. The initiative reflects a wider vision of leveraging intellectual property as a driver of development, innovation, and economic progress in Africa.
