Protected Geographical Indication for red cocoa: Minister Mbairobe enjoins stakeholders to fast-track process.

The member of government made the call Thursday November 20, in Mbankomo, on the outskirts of Yaounde.

This was during the opening of the third session of the National Committee for the Promotion and Coordination of Geographical Indications in Cameroon, better known as CONAPIG.

The two-day gathering was attended by the representatives of the acting Minister of Mines, Industry, and Technological Development; the Ambassador of Japan to Cameroon; and the Resident Representative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization in Cameroon, UNIDO.

Also in attendance was the representative of the Director General of the African Intellectual Property Organization, OAPI, the representative of the Director of the French Development Agency in Yaoundé; among others.

In his opening address, Minister Mbairobe explained that the third session of CONAPIG was held within a specific context, marked by the absence of similar meetings in the past few years.

He expressed the fear that the prolonged absence of these sessions could have serious repercussions for the governance of the geographical indication in the country.

Despite the setback, minister Mbairobe reminded stakeholders of the importance of the meeting, which he said was a platform for stakeholders to examine, enrich, and validate the documents constituting the dossier for the recognition of Cameroon's red cocoa as a protected geographical indication at OAPI.

According to Minister Mbairobe, the recognition and registration of a traditional product as a Protected Geographical Indication “is a solution that can enable our producers to benefit from the spin-offs”.

The minister also added that the realization of such an ambitious project will contribute in promoting the country's local products.

This, he said, was essential in ensuring that these products enjoy greater visibility in the various national, regional, and international markets.

Through the meeting, the minister stressed, they’ll not improve the quality of Cameroon's red cocoa in particular, but Cameroon's cocoa in general, to conquer the markets.

He tasked them to: “Carry out an uncompromising assessment, offer constructive criticism, and make appropriate comments that will enable the Cameroon Red Cocoa Geographical Indication Association to finalize this process and move on to the next stage with confidence”.

He added that: “Mindful of the importance attached to the completion of the process of recognizing the red cocoa sector as a geographical indication by stakeholders, and counting on each of your experience and hard work, I firmly believe that together we will achieve the desired results”.

Partners lauded for support

Minister Mbairobe, on behalf of the government, expressed gratitude to its partners, OAPI, AFD, UNIDO, and the Japanese Embassy in Cameroon, for their financial support and technical assistance in implementing the Geographical Indication approach in Cameroon's red cocoa sector.

It should be recalled that the Geographical Indication for red cocoa comes after similar projects which led to the recognition of two protected Geographical Indication products; Penja pepper and Oku honey.

Enter Mines scribe

Speaking earlier, the Secretary General at the ministry of mines, Oumar Ali, who doubles as Vice President of CONAPIG, said government was committed to making geographical indications a key instrument for the socio-economic development of the country.

“This is a decisive step in the process of recognizing and protecting this product, whose quality and history are closely linked to our country and which now enjoys a widely recognised international reputation,” he said.

The MINMIDT scribe went further to mention that Cameroon’s red cocoa is currently the highest-rated cocoa in the world.

Through the initiative, he said, Cameroon is reaffirming its deep commitment to promoting the competitive advantages of industrial property, including Geographical Indications.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3637 of Wednesday November 26, 2025