Monrovia- Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO) in collaboration with African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) has kick-started a three-day Intellectual Property Assets Management Workshop for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Liberia.
By Jaheim T. Tumu- [email protected]
The workshop, which is held under the theme: “Fostering Creativity and Innovation for Economic Growth and Development in Africa, “aimed to empower local businesses by providing essential knowledge on managing and protecting intellectual property (IP) assets and promoting economic growth and sustainability in SMEs.
It would, however, enhance understanding of IP management among SMEs and improve the ability of participants to use IP as a tool for business growth and sustainability.
Speaking at the program opening, Director General of LIPO, Garmai Koboi said IP for SMEs are the backbone of Liberia’s economy which are vital engines of job creation, innovation, and economic resilience.
Accordingly, she said for these enterprises to thrive in an increasingly competitive global market, participants must understand the importance of embracing IP as a cornerstone of their business strategies.
Said Koboi, “By protecting and leveraging IP assets such as trademarks, SMEs not only safeguard their businesses but also enhance their competitiveness and market value.
“We are aware of the critical role that intellectual property can play in the success of our SMEs. This is why we have been working diligently to support Liberian businesses in navigating the IP landscape.”
Koboi mentioned that the workshop reflects their shared commitment to harnessing the power of intellectual property (IP) to drive economic growth and development for SMEs in Liberia. She, however, stressed their commitment goes beyond just organizing training.
“We are also providing technical assistance to help SME owners understand the intricacies of IP rights, from application processes to protection and enforcement,” she said.
She added, “Moreover, recognizing the financial constraints faced by many SMEs, LIPO has taken steps to lower registration fees, making IP protection more accessible so that every SME owner can protect their innovations and brands.”
Delivering the keynote address, Benedict Dolo, Deputy Minister for Small Business Administration who was a proxy for Minister Amin Modad, assured the Ministry commitment with the ideal of working closely with LIPO to strengthen the intellectual property ecosystem in order to make SMEs competitive on the regional and global stage.
Minister Dolo said this is one of the many projects that the Ministry would undertake with LIPO to build the capacity of entrepreneurs, equip them with the tools and knowledge they need to protect their innovations, and provide access to finance and markets to reach their full potential.
“For too long, the narrative around Liberia’s economy has been one of dependency on external markets and ideas. But today, we are witnessing a shift—a shift towards homegrown solutions, towards leveraging our unique resources and talents to drive our own economic growth,” he emphasized.
He added, “This workshop, therefore, provides a platform for our entrepreneurs to explore how IP rights can serve as a catalyst for this shift.”
He reiterated SMEs remained the backbone of the Liberian economy and the engines that drive innovation, create jobs, and contribute significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of our nation, disclosing that SMEs represent over 70% of businesses that employ a substantial portion of our workforce.
“We envision a Liberia where SMEs are empowered to innovate, compete, and grow, contributing significantly to our national development goals and, ultimately, competing on the global stage.”
“Innovation is the lifeblood of entrepreneurship. It is through innovation that our SMEs can differentiate themselves in a competitive market, meet the needs of our people, and expand their reach beyond our borders, he said.
He noted that for innovation to thrive, it must be supported by a robust framework that includes not only access to finance and markets but also strong IPR protection.
“This is where collaboration with ARIPO and LIPO, which we provide policy direction to, becomes so crucial. Intellectual property protection is not just a legal issue; it is a fundamental pillar of economic strategy,” he said.
Adding, “It ensures that innovators reap the benefits of their work, encouraging further innovation and attracting investment—creating an environment where innovation is rewarded, and new ideas can flourish.”
