Burkina faso: The new Director General of the Burkinabe Copyright Office (BBDA), Zita Daniel Bonzi, has pledged to continue institutional reforms aimed at enhancing the protection and promotion of intellectual property. During his installation ceremony, Mr. Bonzi emphasized his commitment to advancing the initiatives set by his predecessor, focusing on safeguarding intellectual works.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Mr. Bonzi was appointed to lead the BBDA on May 29, 2026, and was officially installed on June 2, 2026, by Fid¨le Aymar Tamini, the Secretary General of the Ministry in charge of Culture. In his address, Bonzi expressed his gratitude to the national authorities for entrusting him with this role and highlighted the collective effort needed to address the challenges facing the institution, including support from staff, artists, creators, and rights holders.

Fid¨le Aymar Tamini acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing Director General, Dr. Hamed dit Patindeba Patrick L©ga, who led the institution for three and a half years. His tenure was noted for significant advancements such as the digital transformation of BBDA, improved transparency in royalty distribution, and enhanced administrative and financial governance.

Dr. L©ga recounted the achievements under his leadership, which included the digitization of work declarations, banking of copyright payments, establishment of regional agencies, and partnerships with digital and streaming platforms. Social initiatives for artists, such as support for elderly members, were also part of his legacy. He expressed mixed emotions about leaving the BBDA but called on the staff to support Mr. Bonzi in continuing the modernization efforts.

Zita Daniel Bonzi, a film and audiovisual engineer with experience in regulation, cinema, and administrative management, takes over the helm of BBDA with a vision to build on the foundation laid by his predecessor.