The EUIPO enhances IP education in Africa with expert lectures for students of the OAPI Master’s in Intellectual Property

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) reinforced its commitment to intellectual property (IP) education in Africa. It did so by delivering online lectures to the 15th cohort of the Master’s Programme in Intellectual Property at the Denis Ekani Academy (APIDE) of the African Intellectual Property Organisation (OAPI).

Held on 5–6 May 2025, the sessions were conducted by four EUIPO specialists and aimed at deepening students’ understanding of key international IP frameworks. The topics covered were the Madrid Protocol and System, the Hague Agreement and digital tools such as TMview and TMclass. The lectures also offered practical insights into assessing the likelihood of confusion in opposition proceedings.

Held for the 5th consecutive year, these sessions support knowledge exchange and technical cooperation to foster IP development driven by regional IP offices across Africa, helping to cultivate future leaders in the field. Thanks to such initiatives, the EUIPO, through the EU-funded Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation in Africa (AfrIPI) project, is actively contributing to the training of Africa’s next generation of IP professionals.

The OAPI Master’s Programme is hosted by the University of Yaoundé II and jointly coordinated by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and OAPI. It is co-funded by the Government of Japan through the JPO and provides comprehensive academic and professional training in intellectual property. In its 15th edition, the current class counts about 40 students from 14 African countries.