A mentoring and coaching initiative supported by Funds-In-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global (FIT/Japan IP Global) empowered 30 women in agribusiness across Africa. The program provided personalized IP training to help participants commercialize their innovations. The project journal is now publicly available online.
Supporting Women in Agribusiness through IP
From May 15 to 17, 2023, a three-day conference was held in Kigali, Rwanda, to empower women entrepreneurs in agribusiness to harness intellectual property (IP) for commercial success. The event was organized by WIPO’s Division for Africa, with financial support from FIT Japan IP Global, in collaboration with the Government of Rwanda, the African Union Commission, ARIPO, and OAPI.
Tailored Mentoring for Agribusiness Entrepreneurs
Out of 120 conference participants, 30 women working in agribusiness sectors were selected to receive personalized mentoring and coaching. The aim was to equip women SMEs in Agribusiness with knowledge on the key processes, IP tools and support them in acquiring IP rights for their businesses. From October 2023 to April 2024, the selected entrepreneurs benefited from one-on-one guidance tailored to their business contexts.
Empowering Women in Agribusiness through IP Training
Women in agribusiness often face gender-specific barriers to resources, markets, and knowledge. This initiative addressed those challenges by providing targeted training on IP utilization and management, helping participants enhance their competitiveness and develop sustainable business models. The initiative also highlighted success stories that illustrate how effective use of IP strategies can support the growth of women agribusinesses.
Featured at CDIP and Now Online
A journal summarizing the project outcomes was developed with support from FIT Japan IP Global and distributed during an exhibition held as a side event to the 33rd session of the Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP) at WIPO headquarters in Geneva in December 2024. Following strong interest at the event, the journal has now been made available online for broader public access.