The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare has formalised a partnership with the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA).

The newly signed Memorandum of Understanding focuses on protecting and commercialising the intellectual property of women-led businesses under the "EntreprenHer" initiative.

The executive director of the Gender Equality Ministry, Lydia Indombo, said this agreement is a crucial step in helping women entrepreneurs turn their creative ideas into commercial assets.

The five-year partnership is designed to provide long-term support for Namibian business owners.

According to BIPA, over 27,000 female-owned businesses are currently operating in Namibia.

These enterprises span sectors inherently rich in intellectual property, including agriculture, textiles, cosmetics, and the creative arts. BIPA CEO Ainna Kaundu emphasised that these figures reflect the backbone of the nation's economy.

Kaundu noted that BIPA's mandate extends beyond intellectual property to business registration, ensuring these enterprises are fully formalised.

This MOU builds on a 2022 pilot project with the World Intellectual Property Organization, which successfully trained 50 women from all 14 regions in moving from "idea generation" to "commercialisation".

Representing UN Women, Agnes Phiri highlighted that formalising such partnerships is essential for accountability. She noted that without a signed MOU, it is difficult to measure the impact of strategic goals.