The JPO Director-General announced expectations for young Africans to start up businesses, at the IP Forum for Africa

April 28, 2022

The Youth Entrepreneurship Regional Forum was held from April 25 to 26 in the form of an online conference on the role of intellectual property for youth entrepreneurship in Africa, and Mr. Yasuda, Director-General, Patent and Design Examination Department (Physics, Optics, Social Infrastructure and Design) of the Japan Patent Office (JPO), delivered a speech via video message at the opening session.

This forum was held under the support of WIPO Funds-in-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global, which was set up by voluntary contributions that JPO has made to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Mr. Yasuda stated that securing employment for young people, who will lead the future in Africa, is essential for sustainable economic development in Africa, and that entrepreneurship contributes greatly not only to promote innovation but also to create employment. In addition, young Japanese entrepreneurs supported by the IP Acceleration program for Startups (IPAS) by the JPO introduced how to utilize IP for start-up of business at this forum.

Going forward, the JPO will continue to develop and improve an environment in which the of Japanese companies can be promptly and smoothly secured and appropriately protected in Africa, by promoting cooperation with Africa.

Director-General Yasuda delivering a speech by video message

[Last updated 28 April 2022]