WIPO Launches IP Mentorship Program to Empower Nigerian Women Agripreneurs

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), collaborating with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment, has announced the call for applications for the 2026 Women Agripreneurs IP Capacity Enhancement and Mentorship Scheme (WACEMS). This program is designed to empower women-led agribusinesses in Nigeria by enhancing their intellectual property (IP) capabilities and business acumen.

WACEMS targets women entrepreneurs operating within the agricultural value chain, including sectors such as input supply, primary production, agro-processing, packaging and branding, logistics and distribution, and agri-tech solutions. The scheme aims to equip participants with the necessary tools, knowledge, and advisory support to protect their innovations and scale their businesses effectively.

Eligibility criteria require applicants to be women-owned businesses with at least 51% female ownership or woman-led enterprises where a female CEO or equivalent leadership role is present. Additionally, applicants must offer a product, service, or innovation that has a market presence or commercialization potential within the agricultural sector.

Selected participants will benefit from a structured program combining training sessions, mentorship opportunities, and IP advisory services. This comprehensive approach is intended to help women agripreneurs transform their ideas, brands, and innovations into protected intellectual assets, thereby enhancing their competitive advantage in both local and international markets.

Intellectual property remains an underutilized asset among many Nigerian agribusinesses. By participating in WACEMS, women entrepreneurs can strategically leverage IP rights to improve long-term sustainability and profitability, addressing challenges posed by increasing competition.

Interested and eligible applicants are invited to apply through the official application portal provided by WIPO and its partners.

This initiative aligns with broader efforts to support women-led SMEs in Nigeria’s agribusiness sector, recognizing the critical role of intellectual property in fostering innovation, business growth, and market expansion.

The launch of WACEMS 2026 follows a series of similar capacity-building programs aimed at empowering African entrepreneurs, including fellowships and accelerator programs focused on green entrepreneurship, fintech innovation, and climate-resilient agri-food systems.

For women agripreneurs in Nigeria, WACEMS represents a unique opportunity to gain expert guidance on IP protection and commercialization, positioning their businesses for greater success in a competitive marketplace.

Applications are now open, and interested candidates are encouraged to submit their details promptly to benefit from this targeted mentorship and capacity enhancement scheme.