Gambia’s TISC Lead Urges Businesses and Startups to Prioritize Intellectual Property Protection to Boost National Investment

The Gambia’s Technology and Innovation Support Centre (TISC) focal person, Mr. Colley, has called on businesses, startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs in the country to secure intellectual property (IP) protection as a vital step toward driving national investment and economic growth. His remarks came during the sidelines of a regional meeting jointly organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), with support from the Japan Patent Office (JPO).

Mr. Colley stressed that registering a business should be accompanied by protecting valuable intellectual property assets such as trademarks, patents, industrial designs, copyrights, and other innovations. He encouraged Gambian stakeholders to embed IP protection into their business strategies to safeguard their creations, improve competitiveness, and position themselves for investment opportunities.

"When entrepreneurs register their businesses, they should also take the important step of protecting their intellectual property. Doing so gives them exclusive rights over their creations and provides legal remedies if those rights are infringed. Intellectual property is not just a legal safeguard, it is a valuable business asset that can attract investment, enhance competitiveness, and support business growth," Mr. Colley explained.

Highlighting the growing value of intellectual property in today’s knowledge-driven economy, he noted that IP enables businesses to convert innovative ideas into commercial success, create jobs, and attract investment.

Mr. Colley further outlined The Gambia’s ongoing initiatives to strengthen its national innovation and intellectual property ecosystem. These efforts include raising awareness of IP rights among businesses, researchers, universities, creators, and entrepreneurs to increase IP registrations and protect local innovations.

"Increasing intellectual property registrations will not only safeguard local innovations but also enhance the country’s competitiveness in regional and international markets," he said. "The future of The Gambia’s economy depends largely on our ability to innovate and protect the products of our creativity. Every trademark registered, every invention patented, and every design protected contributes to building a stronger, more resilient economy."

The regional meeting convened representatives from ARIPO Member and Observer States to discuss strategies for strengthening Technology and Innovation Support Centre (TISC) networks across Africa. Participants focused on expanding access to patent information, scientific and technological knowledge, and innovation support services tailored for universities, research institutions, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), innovation hubs, and entrepreneurs.

Delegates emphasized that patent databases constitute one of the world’s largest sources of technical and scientific information. These databases provide innovators with critical insights to enhance research, identify market opportunities, avoid duplication, and accelerate the commercialization of new technologies.

Through the TISC Programme, WIPO and ARIPO continue to assist Member States in building stronger national innovation ecosystems by improving access to intellectual property information and technology support services.

Representing The Gambia, Mr. Colley reaffirmed the country’s commitment to promoting the effective use of intellectual property as a catalyst for innovation, entrepreneurship, industrial development, and sustainable economic growth. He underscored that protecting ideas today will help create stronger businesses, generate employment, and contribute to The Gambia’s long-term socio-economic development.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from WIPO, ARIPO, and Member States to advance beyond raising awareness of intellectual property toward its effective utilization and commercialization. The goal is to ensure that African innovations are transformed into competitive products, successful businesses, and lasting development.