Uganda Hosts Historic Conference to Empower African Women in Intellectual Property and Innovation

The EU-funded Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation in Africa (AfrIPI) project in partnership with the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), organised the first-ever Women in Intellectual Property (IP) Conference from 28 to 30 August 2024 in Kampala, Uganda, to redefine the landscape of IP for women on the African continent.

The conference, titled Enhancing Women's Participation in IP, had H.E. Maj (RTD) Jessica Alupo, the Vice President of Uganda, as the Guest of Honour. It brough together high-level participants from the 22 ARIPO member states, including heads of IP offices, academics, advocates, engineers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and SMEs.

Building on the momentum of World IP Day 2023's focus on ‘Women and IP,’ the conference aimed to spotlight the remarkable achievements of women in the IP field across the ARIPO region, and Africa as a whole, by showcasing groundbreaking IP inventions by African women. The event seeked to demystify innovation and underscore its tangible impact on businesses and SMEs, paving the way for a significant increase in the presence and influence of women in IP leadership roles throughout the continent.

Ms. Mercy K. Kainobwisho, Registrar General at the Uganda Registration Services Bureau, appreciated the opportunity presented to Uganda in hosting the conference, adding that the National IP Office, URSB, would use the conference to showcase the strides made in Intellectual Property specifically relating to attracting more women into the field.

‘We are grateful to ARIPO and EU-funded AfrIPI project for considering Uganda as hosts for the first Women in IP conference in Africa. The field of Intellectual Property has gained traction and attracted a lot of interest from key stakeholders. This conference gives us an opportunity to increase awareness as well as showcase women champions in Intellectual Property,’ she said.

Mr. Bemanya Twebaze, the ARIPO Director General, noted that Empowering women and ensuring their participation in the IP ecosystem is vital for economic growth. He called for ARIPO and its cooperating partners to commit to promoting women in IP. “Our collaborative efforts must ensure that women have equal opportunities to participate in and benefit from the IP system. This includes promoting women's contributions to innovation and creativity, supporting female inventors and creators, and addressing the gender gap in IP rights acquisition and enforcement,” he said.

European Union Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Jan Sadek, said: “The European Union has long championed gender equality and women's empowerment in all spheres of life. In Intellectual Property, we recognise that women's participation and leadership are essential for innovation and creativity. The regional conference organised next week with our support is a milestone in the right direction.”

Nancy Samuriwo, Intellectual Property Rights expert from AfrIPI emphasised the untapped potential in women's contributions to IP. ‘When women can protect and commercialise their innovations, they become powerful catalysts for economic growth, job creation, and social change,’ she said, instilling a sense of optimism about the future.

The Women in IP Conference in ARIPO member states is not just an event; it's a transformative movement of empowerment. By fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and empowerment, this landmark conference is poised to reshape the IP landscape in Africa, creating a more inclusive and innovative future for all.