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In an exciting step towards empowering women agripreneurs in Nigeria, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) collaborated with The Orbra Company to organize an intensive 2-day investment readiness bootcamp. Held in Lagos on August 10-11, 2023, the bootcamp aimed to strengthen the skills, mindsets, knowledge and networks of women-led micro and small enterprises in the agribusiness sector.

By equipping participants with practical capabilities to enhance their access to finance, the bootcamp enabled women entrepreneurs to formalize their operations, seize growth opportunities and prepare to scale under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) framework.


The Premier Hub, located in the heart of an innovation cluster in Lagos, provided the ideal venue for the immersive training program. A total of 34 women entrepreneurs running inspiring agribusinesses participated in the bootcamp. Their enterprises spanned various agricultural segments including crop production, food processing, logistics, distribution, retail, restaurants and agro-inputs.



Kicking off with insightful opening remarks from the organizers, the participants were visibly enthusiastic to soak up knowledge from the sessions facilitated by industry experts over two days. An interactive icebreaker activity led by the CEO (The Orbra Company) Mr. Ololade Otayemi emphasized team building, setting the stage for collaborative peer learning.



Day 1 featured an intensive session delivered by Adaeze Sokan on grant and investor readiness for agrifood MSMEs. She outlined crucial tips on developing persuasive business plans including: demonstrating market potential, articulating competitive advantages, showcasing strong financial management systems, defining social impact goals and team capabilities. Her subsequent presentation deconstructed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework, exploring opportunities for agribusinesses like reduced trade barriers, expanded markets and infrastructure development across Africa.



Other immersive sessions addressed topics like strategic planning, financial modeling, storytelling for pitching, governance, leadership, technology adoption and global exports. Real-world case studies, tailored exercises and hands-on activities made the sessions highly relatable for participants. For instance, an engaging activity had participants craft and present short pitches for their own businesses to get comfortable with storytelling techniques.


A major highlight was the small group collaborations for women entrepreneurs to co-create draft business plans applying the knowledge gained. The groups presented their business plans on Day 2, receiving constructive feedback from facilitators to refine their strategies.



In addition to skills-building, a game-changing opportunity provided was access to leading capital providers and government agencies like NIRSAL, Sterling Bank, Access Bank and Global Affairs Canada. Participants gained first-hand insights directly from funders on products, criteria, processes and requirements to access financing tailored to their needs and growth stages. Being able to ask questions, discuss deals and understand how to successfully approach funders gave participants renewed confidence and clarity to access capital after the bootcamp.



While participants rated the bootcamp highly for its practical approach and knowledgeable facilitators, recommendations to enrich future editions included: extending the training duration to 3-4 days, follow-up implementation support through monthly check-ins, advanced sessions on e-commerce and digital strategies, more direct pitching practice, product exhibition opportunities and partnerships with incubators.



Overall, the investment readiness bootcamp served as a powerful launching pad for women agripreneurs in Nigeria to gain practical knowledge and networks to unlock their potential. Participants left inspired to implement their learning with formalized operations, enhanced business management capacities, financial acumen, persuasive pitching abilities and connections to access capital. This promising initiative reflects the remarkable impact that can be created by equipping women entrepreneurs with the right skills, mindsets and partnerships to succeed as changemakers uplifting their communities and driving wider economic growth.



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The WIPO Nigeria Office (WNO), in collaboration with its implementing partner, The Orbra Company, is thrilled to reveal the top 21 startups chosen for Phase 2 of the inaugural WIPO IP Labs program in Nigeria after a rigorous selection process.


Out of 56 promising entrepreneurs in Phase 1, these 21 innovators demonstrated exceptional progress in transforming their ideas into impactful businesses leveraging intellectual property. The startups span diverse industries from AgriTech and HealthTech to Clean Energy, Fintech, Waste Management and more. The common thread is their focus on scalable solutions that align with Sustainable Development Goals.


Emmanuel Williams

Stephen Adeyemo

Thomas James

Favour Leo-Adegun

Adeyinka Meduoye

Jummai Victor Tela

Oluwafolakanmi Oyeleke

Abdulazeez Salahudeen

Chimobi Ogudu

Alex Nwachukwu

Chioma Nnanna


Abduljalaal Abubakar

Richard Omole

Noma Sodipo

Precious Olufemi Adepoju

Augusta Okafor

Kamal Aliyu

Uthman Alao

Ifeanyi Enwu

Taiwo Isola

Michael Osumune


Phase 2 is set to kick off on Monday, 30th October 2023, starting with the IP Management Clinic, where startups will receive tailored support to scale and commercialize their innovations.



During this phase, participants will refine business models, sharpen pitches to attract investors, and accelerate their ventures from prototype to real-world impact.


On being selected, participants expressed excitement for the immense learning and growth opportunities in Phase 2. They are eager to transform their ideas into enterprises that uplift underserved communities.


WIPO heartily congratulates the Phase 2 participants and looks forward to closely tracking their entrepreneurial journeys. These talented innovators inspire hope for African solutions that achieve prosperity. Their success demonstrates the power of strategic IP management combined with purpose-driven tenacity.


Stay tuned for more updates as these startups pave the way for people, profit and planet through the WIPO IP Labs!


For more information about the program, please visit the WIPO Nigeria website

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The WIPO Nigeria Office (WNO), in collaboration with its implementing partner, The Orbra Company, is delighted to announce the selection of outstanding entrepreneurs and exceptional facilitators for the WIPO IP Labs program in Nigeria.


Launched in August 2023, innovators across Nigeria were invited to apply for a virtual incubation and acceleration program focused on leveraging intellectual property (IP) to drive business growth. Applications were evaluated based on criteria including viability, sustainability, IP potential, diversity, and local impact.


Participants


After a rigorous evaluation process, 56 innovators were chosen as participants, representing diverse industries, backgrounds and locations across Nigeria.


On being selected, the entrepreneurs expressed enthusiasm for the learning and growth opportunities provided by WIPO IP Labs. The program will equip them with knowledge and tools to transform their ideas into thriving businesses.



Selected Participants

  • ​ARTHUR ALUMBA

  • JUMMAI VICTOR TELA

  • PRECIOUS OLUFEMI ADEPOJU

  • MICHAEL ADEOYE

  • SHABAN HARUNA

  • AUGUSTA OKAFOR

  • STEPHEN ADEYEMO

  • TERNENGE IKPAAHINDI

  • OBOT UMOH

  • DAN EBOH

  • DUNBE BIRSAN

  • INIOBONG JOHN

  • JOHN ADAKOLE

  • AISHA BALA

  • BASHIR ABBA KYARI

  • ABDULAZEEZ SALAHUDEEN

  • UTHMAN ALAO

  • UZOMA ONYEKACHI

  • JOSHUA ABEL

  • ADEYINKA MEDUOYE


  • ​THOMAS JAMES

  • JOHNSON JOHNSON

  • PAM GYANG

  • CHARLES UMEH

  • OLUWATOMISIN FAWEHINMI

  • TEMIDAYO YEMI ENIOLA

  • AUGUSTA OKAFOR

  • CHINYERE ROSITA EZEIRUAKU

  • PATIENCE IMEH

  • KAYODE FALUYI

  • EMMANUEL WILLIAMS

  • RICHARD OMOLE

  • ENIOLA ONI

  • DANIEL AKINYIWOLA

  • FAVOUR LEO-ADEGUN

  • MICHAEL OSUMUNE

  • OLAKUNLE JOSEPH

  • ADEOLA BAMIKOLE

  • OLUWAFOLAKANMI OYELEKE

  • AMIDU MOHAMMED


  • ABRA DANGNAN

  • SOLA BABALOLA

  • CHIOMA NNANNA

  • ESHIET EMMANUEL

  • NOMA SODIPO

  • RUBY IGWE

  • TOYIN ODUTOLA

  • CHIMOBI OGUDU

  • KAMAL ALIYU

  • IFEANYI ENWU

  • ADEWALE ADEBISI

  • ALEX NWACHUKWU

  • KOLAWOLE FALADE

  • TAIWO ISOLA

  • EFFORT OSAYOGIE

  • ABDULJALAAL ABUBAKAR


Facilitators




In addition, carefully selected industry experts will deliver training sessions and provide mentorship to participants. Their insights will be invaluable for equipping participants with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively leverage IP and develop viable businesses.


List of Facilitators:


  1. KAYODE OYEWOLE - Co-founder, Talstack

  2. UKINEBO DARE - Mastercard Foundation

  3. OLOLADE OTAYEMI - CEO at The Orbra Company

  4. JANE ODOWONDO - People Manager, Telesoftas

  5. JULIANA OBOH-JOSEPH - WIPO Nigeria Office

  6. MARIA HAMPTON - President, Elevate Ent. System. USA

  7. ‘LAMIDE JOHNSON - Storyteller, UK

  8. MIMSHACH OBIOHA - CEO, Nigeria at Telesoftas

  9. OLADIWURA OLADEPO - ED Tech4Dev

  10. STEPHEN TILLMAN - Global Partnership at Google


Program Overview


From September to December 2023, participants will benefit from tailored coaching with the program conducted in two stages:


Stage 1: General mentoring on startup development, design thinking, pitching, and IP introduction


Stage 2: Incubation, acceleration and IP Management Clinics to help participants leverage IP protection for business growth


Facilitator-led workshops, hands-on activities, and mentorship sessions will provide both theoretical learning and practical application. Participants will also be able to network with investors and industry veterans to forge connections that catalyze their entrepreneurial growth.



The WIPO IP Labs program represents a unique opportunity for individuals and teams to gain business acumen, refine their ideas, and bring impactful products and services to life.


WIPO congratulates the selected participants and looks forward to supporting their startup journeys. The future shines bright for those leveraging IP to drive solutions made in Nigeria, for Nigeria, and beyond!




For more information about the program, please visit the WIPO Nigeria website

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