‘Patlib seminar to stimulate IP applications’
RYAN CHIGOCHE
The recently held Patent Libraries(PATLIB) seminar is expected to stimulate Intellectual Property (IP) application in Africa as the continent is currently lagging behind, experts said this week.
The two-day seminar was held at the Africa Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) headquarters in the capital.
In 2021 Africa accounted for 0.6% of the global patent applications.
ARIPO director general Bemanye Twebaze said he believes the seminar will turn things around for Africa’s performance.
“It is high time we address the lacklustre performance of Africa in the global industrial property statistics. With our collective sacrifices and such support from our most valuable partners we envisage the stimulation of more IP applications in the medium and long term. Practically more IP applications mean more sustainable agriculture and food security for Africa and general socio economic progress. This is the value of intellectual property today. I believe this partnership is going to achieve that,” he said.
European Patent Office (EPO) president Antonio Campinos who spoke at the event bemoaned the underutilisation of IPs by SMEs in Africa.
“Despite its relevance IP remains a mystery to many, its potential is underutilised especially among SMEs as the backbone of economic growth and job creation in Africa. There is a need to build patent expertise and awareness to ultimately pave the way to a strong enabling environment which will boost the participation of African countries in producing high value goods and services,” Campinos said.
Afripi Team leader Aida Galando who also addressed participants at the seminar highlighted the importance of patents as they confer an exclusive right to exclude others from exploiting people’s inventions.
The seminar was held in partnership with the European Patent Office and Afripi as they combined efforts to stimulate local innovation which makes a significant contribution to the sustainable development of African communities.
The main aim of the seminar was to promote awareness in universities on the importance of patents and innovation.
Participants were drawn from universities of various member states with Africa University, University of Zimbabwe, National University of Science and Technology being some of the local universities who participated.
The seminar comes at a time when there is now a greater demand for universities to not only impart knowledge but to be innovative and create innovative value chains that benefit communities and the country in the long run.
Patlib is the EPO’s network of patent information centres which are spread in the region.
