From Dreams to Business: How WIPO Boosted 50 Young Entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) organized the “Training, Mentoring and Coaching in IP and Branding Strategies for Youth Entrepreneurs”, with the support of the Funds-In-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global (FIT/Japan IP Global).

Image: WIPO

Overview of the Project Conclusion Workshop

The conclusion workshop and closing event of Coaching and Mentoring Project for Youth Entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe was held in Harare, on 1 and 2 December. The event brought together 35 local entrepreneurs and 15 beneficiaries from outside Harare who had participated in the mentoring program.

Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, delivered the keynote remarks. Distinguished experts, Ms. Brenda Matanga and Mr. David Jeng, also shared insights and practical experiences with the participants.

From WIPO, Director General Mr. Daren Tang delivered the closing remarks and highlighted the tangible achievements of the intensive six month mentoring project, launched during IP Week which supported 50 entrepreneurs through training, coaching, IP audits, business strategy development, and market linked support. The impact was — 52 new jobs created, 116 trademark applications filed, and an average revenue increase of 9.26%. Beyond these results, the project instilled confidence, resilience, and a sense of possibility among the beneficiaries who had never imagined their ideas could hold such commercial value. Many are now determined to share their newfound knowledge with the next generation, ensuring that IP benefits ripple across communities.

Image: WIPO

The atmosphere was filled with pride and hope as entrepreneurs shared testimonies of their transformation journeys. Among them was Joyce Chimanye, designer of Zuvva, a fashion and lifestyle brand championing local heritage and style, who shared how IP tools helped her protect and expand her creative vision. Another was Caroline Godzongere, founder of PeakMost Collection (handcrafted macramé and sustainable textile products), whose journey is rooted in her mother’s artisanal heritage. Inspired by the testimonies at IP Week 2022 (including Lilian Nantume from Uganda), Caroline embraced the project as a turning point that helped to reposition her business for growth and global opportunity.

Participants highlighted that, beyond acquiring new knowledge and skills, they were able to build strong networks with fellow entrepreneurs facing similar challenges. These connections are expected to contribute to the continued growth of their businesses and to the future use of IP in Zimbabwe.

Image: WIPO

The mentees also expressed their sincere appreciation to the WIPO Division for Africa (DA), the Mentors, and the Government of Japan for their support throughout the Coaching and Mentoring Project.

Image: WIPO

WIPO reaffirmed its commitment to continuing effective capacity-building initiatives in the field of IP across Africa, with a focus on fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.

Project Background

The project was implemented as a follow-up to the National Workshop on IP for Innovative and Competitive Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Zimbabwe, held in Harare, on 11 and 12 December 2023.

The initiative took the form of a six-month Coaching and Mentoring Project, conducted from May 2025, and was implemented by WIPO’s Division for Africa (DA) with the support of the FIT/Japan IP Global. During the mentoring and coaching phase, two experts, Ms. Brenda Matanga, Principal at B. Matanga Intellectual Property Attorneys, and Mr. David Jeng, Founder of Bliss Executives, provided customized support to selected local entrepreneurs.

Their mentoring covered the development of business and brand strategies, IP protection mechanisms, and the creation of an IP Gap Assessment Tool for each participant.

The mentoring activities successfully empowered 50 entrepreneurs representing diverse sectors including fashion, food processing, technology, and the creative industries. Participants received practical coaching on leveraging IP assets for product differentiation, access to financing, and international market expansion.