Africa losing out on Clean Energy Technology Patents

Of all patent applications relating to Clean Energy Technology (CET), less than one per cent  have been filed in Africa. This highlights an opportunity for the continent to leapfrog existing fossil-fuel energy sources and thus cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions and bring major health benefits.

A new study by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the European Patent Office (EPO)—Patents and Clean Energy Technologies in Africa—to be launched on Monday finds that Africa has a huge untapped potential for generating clean energy, but that the slow pace of technology transfer is preventing this from being fully exploited.

The report, which will be launched during a high-level workshop, looks at the patent landscape in Africa, and issues recommendations on how to use the patent system to speed up the transfer of important technologies.Other experts will be available to discuss the issue, including:Clarice Wilson, Business Development Manager, Biossal KenyaKimani Njoroge, Director, Solimpex AfricaMaarten van Heepen, Phillips InternationalSaid Ramadhan, African Regional Intellectual Property Office (ARIPO)Dr Henry Mutai, Managing Director, Kenya Industrial Property InstituteProf. Muya, Chairman, National Social and Economic CouncilSOURCE United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Source: SpyGhana