Ouagadougou: 11 participants were awarded certificates on Friday, marking the successful completion of the third edition of the Certificate of Aptitude for Collective Management (CAGeC) training, held from August to October 2025 in Ouagadougou.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Dr. Mahamadi Tassembedo, the Director of the Denis Ekani Academy of Intellectual Property (APIDE), who represented the Director General of the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), stated that the training has prepared the graduates to enhance the governance of copyright and related rights within the African Intellectual Property Organization's jurisdiction. He commended the students for their dedication and engagement throughout the three-phase training, which included distance learning, face-to-face sessions, and internships at the Burkinabe Copyright Office.
Dr. Tassembedo emphasized that the purpose of the training is to equip the member states of the organization with proficient professionals capable of managing copyright and related rights. This initiative also aims to safeguard the interests of creators and foster the growth of a vibrant cultural and creative sector. At the conclusion of the three-month program, the auditors are now prepared to efficiently manage the protection and promotion of works, ensuring fair compensation for creators. He acknowledged the significance of cultural and creative industries as crucial sources of employment and economic growth, underlining the need for skilled and visionary personnel in the continent's collective management societies.
He extended gratitude on behalf of the OAPI to the academic and technical partners and praised the faculty of Thomas Sankara University for their exemplary work. He urged the newly certified individuals to disseminate their knowledge and aid in the professionalization of the sector in their respective countries.
The auditors of this third edition of the certificate program hail from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Mali, Niger, and Togo.