WIPO launches programme to promote use of IP for economic growth in Africa

A Japanese-financed programme has been set up to promote the use of intellectual property as a catalyst for economic and commercial development in Africa and Least Developed Countries (LDCs).  

Senior policy makers and intellectual property administrators from 36 African countries met in Pretoria, South Africa last week, to launch the event and examine the importance of IP.

The event, organized by WIPO in cooperation with the governments of South Africa and Japan gave delegates the chance to study the range of policy options available to create an enabling environment for the effective use and management of IP assets.

IP experts from Japan, Malaysia, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa and African Regional Intellectual Property Office (ARIPO), WIPO and the World Bank addressed a range of themes, including patent information as a tool for innovation; technology transfer; use of IP for business competitiveness; commercialising IP assets; value-added services of IP offices; funding of scientific research and innovation; and IP development from a regional perspective.

Participants also discussed future activities to be implemented within the programme.

Japan has supported a number of WIPO-administered projects since 1987, sharing its experience in the use of intellectual property for wealth creation, enhanced competitiveness and economic development.