Abidjan, September 14, 2026 – The Minister of Trade, Industry, and Handicrafts, Ibrahim Kalil Konaté, has called on all innovation and entrepreneurship stakeholders to make the protection and commercialization of their creations an absolute priority. He urged innovative project promoters to fully leverage the opportunities provided by the intellectual property system and the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI).

He made this call on Sunday, September 13, 2026, in Abidjan during the official government statement commemorating the 27th African Day of Technology and Intellectual Property organized by OAPI under the theme: "Intellectual Property and Financing of Innovative SMEs."

"I also urge financial institutions, investors, and business support organizations to increasingly view intellectual property assets as tools for value creation and key levers for financing innovation," added Ibrahim Kalil Konaté, who also serves as President of the Board of Directors of OAPI.

He assured that the Gouvernement de Côte d'Ivoire will continue to decisively support initiatives aimed at strengthening innovation, entrepreneurship, and corporate competitiveness across the continent.