The 10th edition of the African Salon of Invention and Innovative Enterprise (SAIIT) took place in Niamey, Niger, from October 5 to 7, 2026. The event was organized by the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) and the National Agency for Industrial Property and Innovation Promotion (ANPIPI). This year's theme centered on intellectual property and financing for innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The event aimed to transform Africa's innovative ideas into industrial production.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Colonel-major Abdourahamane Amadou, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, representing the Prime Minister. In his speech, he emphasized that Africa no longer wants to be a continent that exports raw materials and imports patented technologies. Instead, it seeks to develop its own industries and transform ideas into production units. The Minister highlighted the importance of intellectual property as a shield of sovereignty and a direct lever for creating national wealth.
The SAIIT featured various stands and panels showcasing endogenous solutions in multiple fields, including sustainable agriculture, healthcare, access to clean water, and digital technology. Some of the innovations on display included biopesticides and biological fertilizers, phyto-medicines and connected medical devices, autonomous bio-filters for clean water, and high-speed internet systems. These solutions aim to address Africa's development challenges and promote economic sovereignty.
Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Colonel-major Abdourahamane Amadou, stressed that intellectual property protection is crucial for ensuring that the value added by African innovators remains in Africa. He also denounced the gap between African banks and the knowledge economy, citing the need for financial institutions to recognize the value of intangible assets. The Minister called for the development of legal and financial mechanisms to transform knowledge into industrial power.
The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Abdoulaye Saidou, echoed the importance of the SAIIT in promoting the country's industrialization agenda. He emphasized that Niger is shifting away from a passive extractive model, which relies on exporting raw materials, and towards a more proactive approach that prioritizes technological appropriation and the transformation of research into production units. The Minister welcomed the innovative mechanism developed by OAPI with the African Guarantee Fund, which allows intellectual property to be used as collateral.
OAPI Director-General, Bohoussou Loukou Denis, noted that the SAIIT provides a platform for African innovators to showcase their creativity and ingenuity. He emphasized that the continent has no shortage of ideas, talents, or inventors, but often struggles to translate these into marketable products. The Director-General highlighted the need for financing to bridge the gap between innovation and value creation.
The event also featured a visit to the exhibition stands, where participants could see firsthand the innovative solutions on display. Some of the notable innovations included a biopesticide that increases mango yields by 4 tons per hectare, a high-speed internet system that doesn't require fiber or SIM cards, and a biofilter that purifies and cools water without using energy. These solutions demonstrate the potential for African innovators to develop practical and effective solutions to the continent's challenges.
Key points
- The 10th SAIIT focused on intellectual property and financing for innovative SMEs.
- The event showcased various endogenous solutions in multiple fields, including sustainable agriculture and digital technology.
- The SAIIT aims to promote Africa's industrialization and economic sovereignty by transforming innovative ideas into industrial production.
