Top 5: African Nations for PCT Applications
Posted on Fri, Nov 11, 2011
The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) system has existed in Africa since 1994. As of 2010, the PCT had been adopted by all by nine African nations. The PCT system “makes it possible to seek patent protection for an invention simultaneously in each of a large number of countries by filing an ‘international’ patent application,” according to the WIPO.
The PCT is certainly not the only indicator of IP activity, but it is the most widely published when it comes to African nations. The WIPO data show that numbers of PCT applications have risen sharply since first adopted in Africa, although they declined slightly between 2005 and 2010. The following are the top five African countries by number of PCT applications in 2010.
With the largest economy in Africa, South Africa is not a surprise to be number one in PCT applications. The economy is well rounded, too: the CIA Factbook notes its "well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors." This level of development sets South Africa far apart from other Sub-Saharan countries for innovation. Most other countries in the region are still primarily dependent on natural resources and agriculture, where patent applications have seen little growth.
2. Egypt - 48 Applications
Once again, economic size dicatates PCT performance. Egypt has the second-largest economy in Africa. The PCT margin between Egypt and South Africa is significant, though. This could be due to the recentness of Egypt's economic success. Egypt's economy was highly centralized until around 1970, when President Anwar Sadat began the process of economic opening. For comparison, South Africa has been experiencing such economic development since its industrial boom in the early 20th century.
3. Namibia - 29 Applications
In nominal GDP, Namibia's economic size ranks 23rd in Africa. The country does, however, have the advantage of a shared economic history with its neighbor, South Africa. It only gained independence from South Africa in 1990. While Namibia is still heavily dependent on income from the mining and extraction sector, it also adopted reforms liberalizing the economy and is a driver of regional economic integration.
4. Morocco - 19 Applications
Morocco is another country near the top of the list for economic size. It has a long-term policy of economic privatization and it enjoys integration with Europe due to tourism and offshore endeavors by European companies. Recently Morocco has been granted increasingly beneficial trade status with Europe.
5. Tunisia - 9 Applications
Tunisia has by far the smallest population on this list. Nonetheless its economy is advanced to the extent that it is in the top ten in Africa. The CIA Factbook calls the economy "diverse" and notes high numbers of university graduates, which may account for PCT participation.
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