The World Intellectual Property Day 2021 theme is “IP & SMEs: Taking your ideas to market’. The celebration focuses on the role of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the economy and how SMEs can use intellectual (IP) rights to build stronger, more competitive and resilient businesses.
According to the World Economic Forum, SMEs are responsible for more than 80 per cent of Africa’s employment and contribute up to 50 per cent to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Therefore, SMES are key drivers of economic growth through creation of employment. In our article, we discuss how SMEs can leverage IP to create more jobs particularly in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
To celebrate the date, the Kenya Intellectual Property Institute (KIPI) in collaboration with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) organized a virtual webinar targeting SMEs. The webinar held on 23rd April 2021 sought to increase IP awareness amongst SMEs.
In addition, on 26th April 2021, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development, KIPI, and KNCCI held a virtual celebration of the World Intellectual Property Day which culminated with an award ceremony.
Happy World Intellectual Property Day!
