YASUDA, Director-General of the Trial and Appeal Department of the JPO, expressed his expectations for the success of African women entrepreneurs at the Intellectual Property Conference in Africa

MAY 24, 2023

On May 15-17, “REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY FOR WOMEN IN AGRIBUSINESS”, was held in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. Mr. YASUDA attended the conference and made opening and closing remarks.

The conference was attended by 109 women entrepreneurs engaged in agribusiness in the Sub-Saharan Africa region utilizing the Funds-in-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global, a voluntary contribution made by the JPO to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The conference was also attended by the representatives of various organizations (African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), WIPO, and the Government of Rwanda).

Mr. YASUDA stated that further recognition and mobilization of women’s potential is essential for sustainable economic growth in Africa and expressed his high expectations for the creation of competitive agribusiness by African women entrepreneurs. He also announced that the JPO will continue to actively engage in cooperation with African nations and organizations in the area of intellectual property. In addition, an online presentation was made by a Japanese female entrepreneur about her startup experience in the agribusiness sector and the role of intellectual property in the business.

The JPO will continue to promote cooperation with Africa to create an environment in which the intellectual property of Japanese companies may be swiftly and smoothly secured and properly protected in Africa.

Opening Remarks by Mr. YASUDA, Director-General of the Trial and Appeal Department

Women Participants in the Conference

[Last updated 24 May 2023]