IP Agribusiness Program for Women Entrepreneurs in Africa

David contributed significantly to expanding access to intellectual property resources, supporting women-led agribusinesses in leveraging innovation for economic inclusion.

PROJECT TITLE: WIPO WOMEN IN AGRIBUSINESS PROJECT

Organization: WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROJECT (WIPO)

TIMELINE : MAY 2024 TO DECEMBER 2024

Place: Kigali, Rwanda

Role: IP EXPERT
The WIPO Women in Agribusiness Africa Project represents a groundbreaking initiative by the World Intellectual Property Organization to strengthen the role of women entrepreneurs in Africa's agricultural sector. By bridging the gap between intellectual property systems and female agripreneurs, this program unlocks new opportunities for business growth, innovation protection, and market competitiveness across the continent.

At its core, the project addresses a critical need - equipping women-led agribusinesses with specialized knowledge about trademarks, patents, and industrial designs. Many women operating in Africa's agricultural value chains possess remarkable traditional knowledge and develop innovative products, yet often lack awareness of how intellectual property rights can safeguard their creations and enhance commercial viability. The initiative tackles this through comprehensive capacity building, combining theoretical IP education with practical business applications tailored to agricultural enterprises.

A flagship component of the project was the landmark regional conference held in Kigali, Rwanda during May 2023. This gathering brought together over 120 women entrepreneurs from across Africa, creating a dynamic platform for peer learning and expert engagement. The conference facilitated crucial dialogues between agribusiness owners, IP professionals, and policymakers, while demonstrating concrete examples of how intellectual property tools can be leveraged in agricultural contexts - from protecting unique crop varieties to branding processed food products.

Building on this foundation, the project has established an intensive mentoring program currently supporting more than thirty selected women-led agribusinesses. These entrepreneurs receive personalized coaching to develop IP strategies aligned with their specific business models and growth objectives. The mentorship goes beyond theoretical knowledge, providing hands-on guidance in navigating national IP systems, managing application processes, and utilizing protected assets for business expansion.
By equipping women agripreneurs with IP knowledge and resources, the WIPO Women in Agribusiness Africa Project fosters a new generation of female innovators who can protect their agricultural inventions, differentiate their products in markets, and ultimately contribute more substantially to food security and economic development. The initiative represents a powerful model for how intellectual property systems can be made more accessible and beneficial to women entrepreneurs driving transformation in critical sectors like agriculture.