Morocco is strengthening its role as an African platform for intellectual property training by hosting a World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) program for experts from 14 African countries. This initiative, carried out in partnership with the Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property (OMPIC) and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), marks a new step in skills development on the continent.
A Pioneering Executive Master’s in Intellectual Property and Innovation
The flagship program of this collaboration is the Executive Master’s in Intellectual Property and Innovation (MIPI), whose first edition was launched on October 27, 2025. This program aims to train a new generation of experts with skills in:
- IP Protection (Securing innovations, trademarks, and patents)
- IP Valuation (Transforming intellectual property into economic assets)
- IP Management (Supporting companies, researchers, and startups in their innovation efforts)
This Master’s program is the result of a strategic partnership between three institutions: OMPIC, UM6P, and WIPO.
A Strategic Positioning of Morocco in Africa
Abdelaziz Babqiqi, Director General of OMPIC, emphasized at the launch that “industrial property is a key driver of innovation and a lever for competitiveness.” The program aims to strengthen national and regional expertise in a key area for the continent’s economic and technological development.
Hicham El Habti, President of UM6P, emphasized the strategic importance of the MIPI, which aligns with the university’s mission to offer high-quality training programs tailored to the needs of the market and industry.
Through this initiative, Morocco reaffirms its commitment to positioning itself as a regional hub for training and expertise in intellectual property, thereby supporting the innovation ambitions of the African continent.
Strengthened South-South Cooperation
This training program is part of a South-South cooperation dynamic initiated several years ago. In 2016, the Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property (OMPIC) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a framework for technical cooperation. In 2018, the two institutions strengthened their joint efforts in the field of training, with a program combining in-person courses, e-learning, a summer school, and seminars.
The topics covered include:
- The challenges of industrial property rights and national/international legal frameworks
- The protection of distinctive signs (trademarks, designs, models, geographical indications)
- The patent system at the national, regional, and international levels
- Activities related to promoting innovation
Morocco, an African leader in intellectual property
This initiative comes at a time when Morocco is positioning itself as an African leader in intellectual property protection, ahead of Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa by 2026. The country now has a Moroccan Academy of Intellectual and Commercial Property, managed by the Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property (OMPIC), which trains approximately twenty participants annually from Morocco and other African countries through the Certificate of Industrial Property Facilitator (CAPI).
Why this matters for Africa
Intellectual property is a crucial lever for:
- Protecting local innovations from counterfeiting
- Attracting investment through a secure legal framework
- Developing innovation ecosystems by supporting startups and researchers
- Strengthening the capacity of national intellectual property offices
