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Today, April 26th was the World Intellectual Property Day themed “Taking Your Ideas To Market”.
In Kenya, the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), together with other industry stakeholders namely, Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development, Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI), The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry(IFPI), Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) with support from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) organized a webinar.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the contemporary world, which is characterized by the era of information age, is fast changing necessitating us all, especially micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), to be prepared in such a manner that we can leverage on these changes to facilitate the country to harness its huge industrial property rights (IPRs) potential,” John Onyango, KIPI MD said
The webinar was also attended by different representatives of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Academia.
Five MSMEs that showcased how registering their intellectual property(ies) and how it has helped nurture their businesses were awarded.
KIPI has supported the training of Kenyans, particularly in the MSME sector in intellectual property rights. The institute has further assisted MSMEs to acquire IPRs and brand their products.
“Kitui honey in Kitui County Koriema honey in Baringo County Fish leather in Kisumu County Peanut butter in Homa Bay County were trained on IP matters,” the statement from the MD read.
The message from the ministry was one of support of the IPRs, Cabinet Secretary Betty Maina praised the leading role IPRS play in encouraging innovation and creativity.
“Digital age is with us and I challenge ourselves to lead the park in the global community, an aspect Kenyans have already demonstrated in some fields. Indeed, in line with the role of IPRs in encouraging innovation and creativity, we are conducting our 2021 WIP Day celebrations virtually and through other forms of communication like the rest of the world, which has come up with innovative and creative ways of living in the new normal environment as a result of the Pandemic.” CS Betty Maina stated
The government also spoke of the need to merge the three bodies that is, KIPI, KECOBO and Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) into one Kenya Intellectual Property Authority (KIPA), which the ministry described as “holding much promise in delivering a strong, efficient and effective agency to fulfill this mandate” and commits to fast-track the process.
“Towards this end, we have finalized developing Intellectual Property Bill, 2020 and a Cabinet Memo to progress the same to Cabinet for eventual enactment.” CS Betty clarified.
Kenya has made great policy strides in facilitating the MSMEs through the enactment of the Micro and Small Enterprise Act No. 55 of 2012 which established the Micro and Small Enterprise Authority (MSEA), a State agency charged with the promotion, development and regulation of the MSMEs.
Further, Kenya now has in place Kenya Micro and Small Enterprises Policy, which aims at addressing the unique and peculiar challenges which weigh down MSMEs.
These includes the need for Entrenchment of entrepreneurial culture; Skills and capacity development; Access to domestic and export markets; Access to a diversified and affordable range of financial products and services; Access to decent and affordable infrastructure; Facilitation of start-ups; and Promotion of formalization.
Fintech firm Kibo Capital Group Limited was among those awarded.
The award was sponsored by Microsoft East Africa Limited.
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