Organized by WIPO’s Division for Africa, in cooperation with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and supported by FIT/Japan IP Global, the Women in STEM Conference in Kigali, Rwanda (17–19 March 2026) strengthened IP skills and innovation capacity across the region.
Event overview and objectives
The Women in STEM “Pitch & Protect” Conference, held in Kigali, Rwanda from 17 to 19 March 2026, brought together 43 women innovators and entrepreneurs from Rwanda and 10 other African countries (Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, and Tanzania), many of which are among the top performers in the Global Innovation Index (GII) in Africa. The conference provided a dynamic platform for participants to strengthen their capacity to leverage intellectual property (IP) as a strategic tool for innovation, business development, and market competitiveness. The conference was organized by WIPO’s Division for Africa, in cooperation with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and supported by the Funds-In-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global (FIT/Japan IP Global).
The participants included early-career researchers, PhD students, entrepreneurs, and founders of women-led start-ups working in sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), green technology, health technology, agritech, and climate solutions.
The conference aimed to empower women in STEM by helping them transform their innovations into protected assets and strategic advantages. Through hands-on training linked to participants’ projects, the program strengthened practical IP management skills, enabling participants to secure and generate value from their creations. Mentorship sessions guided participants in integrating IP strategies into their research and business initiatives. The initiative also highlighted success stories that demonstrate the tangible impact of IP and cultivated a regional network of women innovators to encourage long-term collaboration.
Key moments and discussions
During the opening remarks, Ambassador Kazuya Nakajo, Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda, emphasized the importance of supporting women in STEM by leveraging IP as a tool to drive innovation and promote inclusive economic growth, ultimately contributing to the realization of “Agenda 2063.” Ms. Loretta Asiedu, Director of Division for Africa at WIPO noted that women have great potential and expressed her expectation that participants would gain valuable knowledge through the training and go on to thrive by leveraging IP. She further emphasized the transformative role of women in innovation, noting that: “Women in STEM are not only contributors to innovation ecosystems—they are catalysts for inclusive and sustainable development across the continent.” Mr. Richard Kayibanda, Chief Licensing Officer at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), highlighted that women in STEM are a powerful driver of innovation in Africa, and that IP is a key enabler in bringing that innovation to life.
The high-level panel on “Women in STEM and Innovation Ecosystems” explored the evolving role of women innovators within national and regional innovation systems, with a focus on policy support, the role of IP offices, and translating research into impactful innovations.
A series of sessions introduced participants to the fundamentals of intellectual property (IP) and practical pathways for transforming ideas into market-ready products and services, including commercialization strategies, licensing, and IP registration systems. Discussions further highlighted funding and investment readiness, showcasing how IP can enhance credibility and support access to finance, alongside inspiring case studies of women-led innovations. These sessions were delivered by a distinguished group of experts who brought extensive experience in innovation, IP, and entrepreneurship, including:
- Ms. Esther Kunda, Director General for Innovation & Emerging Technologies, Ministry of ICT and Innovation, Government of Rwanda
- Dr. Didacienne Mukanyiligira, Technology Innovation and Intellectual Property Analyst, National Council for Science and Technology (NCST), Rwanda
- Ms. Rose Mboya, IP Expert, Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI), Kenya
- Dr. Kijakazi Obed Mashoto, Principal Research and Technology and Innovation Support Officer, Tanzania
- Mr. David Jeng, Founder, Bliss Executives, The Gambia
- Dr. McLean Sibanda, IP, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Expert, South Africa
- Mr. Emmanuel Mutabazi, Digital Development Champion and Innovation Consultant, University of Rwanda (UR), Rwanda
The interactive workshops and mentoring clinics, led by these experts, provided hands-on guidance on business model development, IP strategy, and pathways for scaling innovation.
Additionally, Ms. Keiko Kuroshima, Fund officer of FIT/Japan IP Global at WIPO, shared examples from Japan, including initiatives to encourage girls’ interest in STEM and programs recognizing companies that support women in STEM, such as awards at EXPO2025 in Osaka, Japan. These Japanese initiatives drew significant interest from participants.
Strengthening IP capacity and building regional networks
The Regional Conference helped participants gain a better understanding of the strategic role of IP in protecting and commercializing their innovations and strengthened their ability to apply IP strategies in research, innovation, and business initiatives. The event also fostered a regional network of women innovators and entrepreneurs in STEM, encouraging collaboration, mentoring, and knowledge sharing.
Looking ahead
Building on the success of this programme, WIPO and its partners will continue to support women in STEM through targeted capacity-building initiatives, mentorship programmes, and policy engagement.
The Kigali conference marks an important step toward ensuring that women innovators are fully empowered to “pitch, protect, and scale” their ideas—driving sustainable development and economic transformation in Africa.