Ideas to Jobs: Harnessing Intellectual Property Rights to Scale Local SME Innovation

By strengthening intellectual property rights, African economies can drive sustainable greentech innovation, create jobs and position themselves as leaders in the green economy.

By  Blaise Bayuo

Published on Aug 18, 2025

Summary

• Africa’s growing youth population and abundant natural resources hold the potential to position the continent as a sustainable development leader, if green technology innovation is embraced.

  
  

• Robust Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) frameworks are crucial for attracting investment, enabling local innovation, and driving the effective transfer and adaptation of green technology.

  
  

• However, significant hurdles, like the prohibitively high cost of Intellectual Property (IP) registration and maintenance, a critical skills gap in IP valuation and management, and low IPR awareness among entrepreneurs and policymakers, are limiting the ability of local innovators to protect and secure financing for their inventions.

  
  

• While a handful of local innovators are successfully promoting greentech adoption, knowledge transfer, and job creation, their expansion is frequently hindered by reliance on imported parts and restricted rights to reproduce core technologies. This underscores the need for more equitable technology partnerships.

  
  

• To catalyse inclusive green innovation locally, African nations must shift from policy intention to implementation: leverage non-patent IPR tools like utility models, trademarks, and geographical indications, harmonise regional IP frameworks through AfCFTA, ARIPO, and WIPO Green, support local firms with IP capacity-building, licensing support, and innovation finance and integrate IPR into national green policies, not as an afterthought, but as a driver of job creation and sustainability.

Introduction

Africa, home to the world’s largest and fastest-growing youth population, is experiencing significant economic and social growth. While this presents the continent with a unique opportunity to harness the potential of its youthful workforce, it must be done in a manner that minimises environmental impact, particularly in the face of the escalating climate crisis.

Adopting a green agenda and fostering green technology (hereafter ‘greentech’) innovation can mitigate ecological challenges. Indeed, the UN Stockholm Declaration (1972) and Agenda 21 (1992) highlight the importance of greentech in tackling environmental challenges.¹ In parallel, greentech strategies could address the critical issue of youth unemployment by creating sustainable and inclusive job opportunities across the continent. Globally, green jobs are projected to grow at an annual rate of 8%, with 112 million new green jobs expected by 2030.

For Africa, this could translate into approximately 75 million jobs by 2050, spanning sectors such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and waste management. The solar photovoltaic (PV) sector alone could create 4 million jobs in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030 (World Bank, 2022).

The potential of greentech in Africa is being hindered by limited technological adoption, low innovation capabilities and a significant reliance on foreign technology transfer, to name but a few such challenges. The continent's technological gap necessitates both the direct transfer of advanced greentech from developed nations and the development of local mechanisms to adapt and scale these technologies. However, technology transfer to Africa remains constrained, with only 16% of climate-mitigation inventions from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries reaching non-OECD regions (Dechezleprêtre et al., 2011). To bridge this gap, Africa must enhance its capacity for local innovation while leveraging foreign direct technology transfer. A key enabler of this is the establishment of robust IPR regimes which provide the legal framework to protect, incentivise and facilitate the exchange and adaptation of greentech. 

Strengthening IPR frameworks will not only attract foreign investments but also empower local innovators to develop context-specific solutions that align with Africa's unique needs and opportunities. Effective IPR regimes are crucial to building an ecosystem that supports greentech investments. They ensure that technology transfer² benefits Africa by encouraging private companies to innovate and adopt greentech. Weak IPR protections, on the other hand, can erode profits for innovating entrepreneurs, limit access to quality knowledge and deter investment. Weak institutional frameworks and restrictive patent regimes exacerbate this disparity, limiting an economy’s capacity to effectively absorb greentech. 

Countries with strong IPR frameworks have demonstrated their potential to drive the export of green innovations. For instance, China recently reported a surge in green patents (patents for technologies that reduce environmental harm or resource efficiency) leading to a boost in innovative growth. According to the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), between 2016 and 2023, China published 573,000 green patent applications. The number of these applications over this period grew at an average annual rate of 10%, significantly outpacing the nation's overall patent growth rate of 7.8%. Meanwhile, 249,000 green patents were granted in China. The regulators developed robust IPR frameworks that helped shorten the review period, enabling businesses to secure green patent rights faster and attracting potential investors by expediting the realisation and commercialisation of their inventions. In contrast, Africa lags, with non-patent IPR underutilised despite their relevance for low-income economies. Additionally, while the global IPR framework, including the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement, provides universal standards for protection and enforcement, Africa's fragmented and underdeveloped IPR systems limit its ability to fully leverage these mechanisms. This hinders Africa’s ability to drive localised greentech innovation and adoption.

While Africa's current IPR regimes are not fully equipped to handle the scale of technology transfer needed to meet its development goals, initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on IPR offer opportunities for harmonising frameworks across member states. By integrating trade, competition and investment policies, AfCFTA aims to establish a robust IPR ecosystem that fosters both local innovation and cross-border technology transfer. Furthermore, the promotion of geographical indications (GIs), such as Ethiopia’s protection of Sidamo coffee, illustrates the potential of harnessing Africa's unique resources for innovation and trade.³ Progress is also evident through capacity-building initiatives like WIPO⁴ GREEN and the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), which are helping to strengthen national and regional IPR frameworks.

IPR mechanisms

Key IPR mechanisms for greentech transfer include patents, utility models, trademarks and GIs. In Africa, the type of IPR mechanism in use reflects the continent’s stage of economic development and sectoral needs. While patents dominate greentech in advanced economies, non-patent IPR mechanisms, such as utility models, trademarks and GIs, are more effective and affordable for developing economies, particularly in Africa. WIPO’s 2023 IPR fillings show that utility models, industrial designs and trademarks dominate as an affordable and practical alternative to patents, supporting minor innovations for export and fostering local capacity at a lower cost. These mechanisms are particularly relevant in sectors like manufacturing and low-tech industries, where incremental innovation drives growth. Trademarks are also widely used across the continent, playing a critical role in building brand identity and consumer trust in sectors reliant on local knowledge, such as agriculture, clothing and textiles, and business services. 

Patents

While patents incentivise advanced R&D and high-tech sector growth in developed nations, they are less effective in Africa due to their high costs. For instance, Africa accounts for less than 2% of global patent applications (WIPO, 2022), reflecting the financial and institutional challenges associated with this IPR mechanism. Registering a patent in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya or Senegal is significantly more expensive than in Canada, Japan or the United Kingdom, posing a major barrier to innovation and technology transfer in Africa. When considered in relation to GDP per capita, the costs become even more prohibitive. For instance, patent registration fees in Kenya, Senegal and Ethiopia are 13.3, 10.2 and 7.9 times their respective GDP per capita, compared to just 0.1, 0.3 and 0.4 in the United States, Germany and Malaysia.

These high fees deter local innovators and prevent African countries from accessing and adopting patented technologies from international markets. This not only limits the registration of local patents but also hinders technology transfer, as international firms may be reluctant to collaborate or share technology with regions where securing intellectual property protections is financially burdensome. Reducing these costs and streamlining the patent registration process is essential for fostering innovation, enabling technology adaptation and accelerating the transfer of critical technologies needed for Africa's sustainable development.

Utility models

Utility models are affordable alternatives to patents, promoting incremental innovation and enabling local adaptation of greentech. Countries like Kenya and South Africa have successfully utilised utility models to protect localised innovations, fostering job creation in manufacturing and low-tech industries. Utility models (UMs), or ‘petty patents’, are gaining prominence as a cost-effective mechanism for protecting incremental innovations, particularly in emerging markets like Africa. Globally, UM applications reached 3.1 million in 2023, with China leading (over 3 million) followed by the Russian Federation (9,694), Germany (6,280), Indonesia (4,368) and Japan (4,319). Growth has been significant in countries like the Russian Federation (+14.6%), Spain (+10.3%), Thailand (+13.7%) and Ukraine (+46.2%), reflecting the increasing reliance on UMs for technology transfer and innovation. In Africa, Kenya is a leader in UM adoption, with 368 applications in 2022 and 341 in 2023, representing a 7.3% decline. Within the ARIPO region, Zimbabwe stands out with over 120 filings, driven by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) focusing on manufacturing and agriculture.

Key sectors leveraging UMs in Africa include manufacturing, agriculture, renewable energy and healthcare devices. Innovations such as irrigation systems, solar energy solutions and affordable medical devices are frequently protected using UMs, facilitating local adaptation and technology transfer. By simplifying registration processes and lowering costs, utility models empower SMEs to protect and commercialise their innovations, driving job creation and economic growth. Countries like Kenya and Zimbabwe are setting examples of how UMs can enhance cross-border collaboration and regional technology adoption, especially through frameworks like ARIPO. These trends underscore the growing importance of UMs in Africa’s innovation ecosystem and their potential to catalyse sustainable development.

Trademarks

Trademarks build brand identity and consumer trust, driving demand for locally-produced green innovations. As essential IPR, they play a significant role in technology transfer and economic development in developing regions. In Africa, trademark registrations have grown by 14% annually (WIPO, 2022), underscoring their importance in enhancing market competitiveness for consumer-facing industries. 

In 2019, international trademark applications originating from Africa increased by 24%, from 189 to 235 applications. The top African countries of origin for these applications were Morocco (90), Tunisia (29), Egypt (21) and Kenya (18), indicating a dominance in Northern Africa. Despite this growth, the number of international trademark applications from Africa remains relatively low. For perspective, Cyprus – a country with a population of about 1 million – had approximately the same number of international trademark applications (231) as the entire African continent, which has a population comparable to that of China. 

In Africa, trademarks play a vital role in technology transfer and economic development. They are widely used across sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, consumer goods and services to establish brand identity and build consumer trust. However, trademark registration costs vary significantly across the continent, often creating barriers for SMEs. For instance, trademark registration costs in Angola are around EUR 685, while in Nigeria the first class of registrations costs USD 1,101 (EUR 881), with additional classes costing USD 1,067 (EUR 854) each. In contrast, countries like South Africa and Kenya have lower registration fees, making trademark adoption more accessible.

While recent trends show an increase in international trademark applications originating from Africa, the number remains low compared to global benchmarks, highlighting the need for further efforts to streamline processes, reduce costs and encourage broader participation. This will enable more SMEs to protect their IP, expand into local and international markets, and contribute to Africa’s sustainable economic growth.

Geographical indications

Geographical indications (GIs) are a form of IPR that protect products originating from specific regions, attributing their unique qualities to that locale. They protect local innovations, such as agro-based greentech, while promoting environmental conservation and community development. In Africa, GIs have been increasingly recognised as tools for promoting sustainable rural development, preserving cultural heritage and enhancing market access for traditional products. The Manual for Geographical Indications in Africa (2022) identifies GIs as transformative, ensuring fair compensation for local producers while driving sustainable practices. The African Union's (AU’s) Continental Strategy for Geographical Indications in Africa 2018-2023 emphasises the potential of GIs in sectors such as agriculture, handicrafts and traditional knowledge-based products.

Several African countries have made notable progress in adopting and registering GIs. For instance, Ethiopia's registration of Sidamo coffee and Yirgacheffe coffee as GIs has enhanced their international reputation and marketability. Similarly, Morocco has protected Argan Oil under GI status, boosting its global recognition and demand. South Africa has also been active, with products like Rooibos tea receiving GI protection, safeguarding its unique identity and benefiting local producers.

Despite these advancements, the overall adoption of GIs across Africa remains relatively limited. Inadequate legal frameworks, limited awareness and insufficient institutional capacities hinder the widespread implementation of GIs. The AU’s strategy aims to address these issues by providing a comprehensive policy framework to guide member states in developing and strengthening GI systems, thereby facilitating technology transfer, promoting sustainable development and preserving Africa's rich cultural heritage.

Summary of IPR and innovation in Africa

While innovation in developed countries is predominantly influenced by patents, developing countries, including many in Africa, often lack the capacity to produce and support patent-intensive systems. The high cost of patent registration and litigation serves as a disincentive, particularly in informal economies where innovation tends to be incremental, less codified and more adaptive.

Industrial designs are gaining traction in Africa, particularly in export-oriented sectors such as manufacturing, textiles and accessories (17.3%), furniture and household goods (16.9%), tools and machines (11%), electricity and lighting (9.2%), and ICT and audiovisual (8.8%) as they enhance product appeal and market competitiveness.⁵ Geographical indications (GIs) have emerged as a key mechanism for protecting region-specific products, such as Ethiopia’s Sidamo coffee, linking them to global markets and promoting local innovation and economic growth. Patents, while significant for high-tech sectors, are less prominent in Africa due to their high costs and complexity. Instead, Africa’s IPR landscape is shaped by mechanisms that align with its local innovation needs, such as utility models, trademarks, industrial designs and GIs, which collectively drive incremental innovation, market access and economic development.

By leveraging non-patent IPR like utility models, trademarks and GIs, Africa can enhance the accessibility and diffusion of greentech. High-knowledge, technology-driving IPR requires advanced ecosystems that understand, support and invest in them. However, tailoring IPR frameworks to Africa’s unique context faces several structural and institutional barriers. Many national IP offices lack adequate resources, technical expertise and modern infrastructure, which hampers the efficient registration and enforcement of IPR. Additionally, there is limited awareness of the importance of green IPR among entrepreneurs, researchers and policymakers, resulting in low levels of IP registration and utilisation. These challenges are compounded by the fact that many African IPR systems are heavily modelled on international agreements like TRIPS, which may not fully reflect the continent’s development priorities or informal innovation landscape. High costs associated with IP registration and enforcement also discourage many local innovators from formalising their intellectual property.

Fragmented legal frameworks across African countries further hinder cross-border collaboration and technology transfer, highlighting the need for regional harmonisation under initiatives such as AfCFTA. Furthermore, most existing IPR systems do not adequately support green innovation or protect traditional knowledge and grassroots technologies. To overcome these barriers, Africa needs to build institutional capacity, promote public awareness and adapt IPR laws to support local realities. Introducing incentives for greentech, strengthening IP education and creating frameworks to protect community-based innovations can drive greentech transfer and job creation. Enhanced collaboration between governments, private sector actors and regional IP bodies such as ARIPO and OAPI (Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle) will also be key to unlocking Africa’s innovation potential.

Strengthening IPR frameworks tailored to Africa’s unique needs will enable the continent to overcome barriers to greentech transfer, fostering job creation and sustainable development. These mechanisms provide a pathway for Africa to harness its green potential, positioning itself as a significant player in the global green economy.

International agreements and commitments

Global agreements such as the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are critical in shaping African national IPR policies. The Paris Agreement (2015) highlights the need for technology transfer to developing countries to combat climate change and transition to low-carbon economies. Article 10 of the Paris Agreement emphasises the role of global technology agreements and the SDGs in shaping African national IPR policies by aligning them with global sustainability and development priorities. Article 10 also emphasises technology transfer and collaboration by encouraging the development and transfer of environmentally sound technologies. It establishes a Technology Framework to enhance cooperative action, support innovation and build capacity for climate-resilient technologies.

Article 11 of the Paris Agreement focuses on capacity building to ensure effective use and adaptation of transferred technologies, while Article 13 strengthens transparency and trust by requiring clear reporting on technology transfer initiatives. Under Articles 9, 10 and 11, developed country parties shall, and other parties that offer support should, provide information on financial, technology transfer and capacity-building support to developing country parties. Conversely, also under Articles 9, 10 and 11, developing country parties should provide information on financial, technology transfer and capacity-building support needed and received. Similarly, the SDGs, particularly 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), will thrive under the development of IPR policies that promote local innovation ecosystems, renewable energy adoption and global partnerships. These agreements advocate harmonisation of IPR standards, capacity building and mechanisms like patent pools and compulsory licensing to reduce barriers to technology transfer. By aligning with these global frameworks, African countries can enhance their IPR systems to foster innovation, enable technology sharing and support sustainable development.

Global agreements such as the Paris Agreement and the SDGs, have prompted many African countries to develop national IPR policies that promote innovations in renewable energy, waste management and sustainable agriculture, while ensuring accessibility for local industries. For instance, Nigeria’s renewable energy strategies align with the Paris Agreement’s goals by integrating IPR protections into projects that promote local manufacturing and employment.

The SDGs, particularly 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), emphasise the importance of fostering green innovation and sustainable industrialisation. These goals have inspired African countries to embed IPR policies into their national development plans, ensuring greentech is accessible, scalable and economically viable. IP frameworks and institutions at the international, regional and sub-regional levels, alongside science, technology and innovation (STI), are increasingly recognised as versatile tools for promoting sustainable development in Africa. To support this effort, the UN Interagency Task Team (UN-IATT) has launched the Global Pilot Programme on STI for the SDGs Roadmaps currently being piloted in Ethiopia, Ghana and Kenya.

The rules and agreements of frameworks like the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement, the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) have prompted African countries to develop national IPR policies that promote innovations in various sectors while ensuring accessibility for local industries. These frameworks also address broader IPR-related issues, including biodiversity, traditional knowledge and the patenting of life forms, which have been central to global discussions. Notably, the WTO debates on biodiversity and traditional knowledge, along with the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge, and Folklore, highlight the growing importance of integrating these elements into national and international IPR frameworks to support sustainable development and the protection of Indigenous resources.

The TRIPS Agreement under the WTO has set global standards for IPR, creating a framework that supports technology transfer and innovation. Article 66 of the TRIPS Agreement specifically addresses the need for developed countries to incentivise technology transfer to least-developed countries, including those in Africa. These provisions have encouraged African nations to adopt IPR policies that balance the protection of local innovations with access to global technologies. For instance, Rwanda’s adherence to TRIPS-compliant IPR frameworks has facilitated partnerships with international stakeholders to advance its greentech initiatives, such as solar energy and recycling. Similarly, South Africa’s strong alignment with WTO rules has enhanced its ability to attract foreign investment in renewable energy technologies, creating thousands of jobs in the process. However, striking a balance between local IP laws and international agreements can be challenging and could lead to misalignments. Kenya’s 2020 Intellectual Property Bill was introduced to align the country’s IP framework with international obligations under the TRIPS Agreement while addressing local innovation and public health needs. However, others such as Brook Baker (2020) pointed out challenges in the law and gaps in terms of TRIPS alignment. Baker argues that while the bill incorporates several TRIPS public health flexibilities, such as provisions for parallel importation and compulsory licencing, it does not fully adopt all TRIPS-compliant measures that could enhance knowledge transfer and improve access to essential medicines. This gap in the IP framework may hinder the local production of generic medicines and the importation of affordable alternatives, ultimately limiting Kenya's ability to effectively address pressing public health challenges.

Strengthening the bill to include broader flexibilities would support innovation and ensure better public health outcomes such as HIV/AIDS drugs.

WIPO conventions, treaties and programmes

WIPO plays a crucial role in shaping global IPR norms and supporting technology transfer. The convention establishing WIPO and the treaties it administers play a crucial role in fostering international cooperation on IPR, promoting innovation and enabling technology transfer. Since its establishment in 1970, WIPO has provided a framework that harmonises IP systems across nations, reducing administrative barriers and facilitating collaboration. Key treaties, such as the Patent Cooperation Treaty(PCT), the Madrid System for trademarks and the Hague System for industrial designs enable innovators to protect their IP across multiple jurisdictions. These mechanisms are particularly valuable for greentech innovators, ensuring that their inventions and designs can be safeguarded globally.

WIPO treaties also directly support the dissemination of greentech by providing legal certainty and fostering cross-border collaboration. The protection offered through the PCT encourages investment in research and development of green innovations, while the Madrid and Hague systems simplify the commercialisation of sustainable products across markets. Furthermore, initiatives like WIPO GREEN complement these treaties by serving as a marketplace for connecting technology providers with seekers, creating opportunities for the global exchange of green solutions and expertise.

By harmonising IP frameworks and supporting the transfer of greentech, WIPO treaties enable countries to scale environmentally sustainable innovations critical for addressing global challenges such as climate change. These treaties not only incentivise innovation by ensuring robust IP protection but also promote the global diffusion of greentech to regions where it is most needed. WIPO’s efforts provide a vital foundation for leveraging intellectual property as a tool for sustainable development and economic growth.

Programmes such as WIPO GREEN and the PCT offer mechanisms for African countries to access and protect greentech. In Kenya, WIPO GREEN’s frameworks have supported local innovators like Burn Manufacturing, enabling the development and scaling of energy-efficient cookstoves. Meanwhile, Kenya’s IPR frameworks, supported by its membership in WIPO, safeguard innovations in renewable energy technologies like solar and wind power, enabling the scaling of local solutions. By leveraging WIPO’s tools, African countries can strengthen their IPR systems, ensuring the protection and commercialisation of green innovations while driving economic growth.

Regional IPR and green policy landscape shaping greentech transfer in Africa

Africa’s green economy is influenced by a dynamic regulatory and policy landscape that addresses trade, innovation and environmental sustainability. At the regional level are the African Union Green Recovery Action Plan (AU-GRAP), the Great Green Wall Initiative and Agenda 2063: Africa’s Blueprint for Sustainable Development.

Agenda 2063 emphasises innovation-driven growth and the role of IPR in fostering technology transfer. The framework aligns with global agreements such as TRIPS and WIPO, encouraging African countries to harmonise their IPR frameworks with international standards. Countries like Ghana and Nigeria have integrated Agenda 2063’s principles into their greentech strategies, promoting local innovations in renewable energy and sustainable agriculture. These efforts have created opportunities for technology transfer, job creation and the development of resilient green economies.

While significant regional frameworks (as highlighted above) have been established to support green growth and technology transfer, the integration of IPR into these strategies remains underdeveloped. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), for example, incorporates IPR protocols to harmonise trade and foster innovation, yet a specific focus on IPR's role in driving greentech transfer is often lacking.

Key frameworks such as the AU-GRAP and the Great Green Wall Initiative aim to promote sustainable development and environmental restoration. However, these initiatives often miss the opportunity to robustly integrate IPR mechanisms that could enhance the commercialisation and dissemination of green innovations. Similarly, the Continental Strategy on Geographical Indications (2017) supports rural development and food security by enabling communities to protect and monetise their local innovations, but greater alignment with broader greentech goals is needed.

Organisations like ARIPO and OAPI provide regional cooperation on intellectual property matters, offering unified approaches to IPR for their member states. Additionally, the African Model Legislation for the Protection of Local Communities and Biological Resources (2000) highlights the importance of biodiversity protection and grassroots innovation, creating a foundation for integrating greentech into local economies.

These frameworks represent critical tools for fostering green growth, yet their potential impact on greentech transfer could be amplified through a stronger emphasis on IPR. By aligning regional policies with global sustainability goals and emphasising the role of IPR, Africa can unlock the full potential of its green economy, enabling widespread technology transfer, innovation and job creation.

At the regional level, Africa has adopted trade protocols and green growth strategies that impact greentech transfer. However, Africa's trade protocols and green growth strategies often lack a direct focus on IPR in greentech transfer due to fragmented regional frameworks, limited awareness of IPR’s role and resource constraints. Policymakers tend to prioritise immediate developmental needs over long-term innovation systems, while reliance on global frameworks like TRIPS often overlooks Africa’s unique needs for flexible licences on essential drugs such as those targeting HIV, TB, hepatitis and non-communicable diseases. Addressing these gaps through harmonised policies and capacity building can enhance the role of IPR in facilitating sustainable development and technology transfer.

Key frameworks include:

1. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR): The protocol incorporates IPR protocols designed to harmonise regional trade and foster innovation.

2. Continental Strategy on Geographical Indications (2017): The strategy supports rural development and food security by enabling communities to protect and monetise their local innovations and natural resources.

3. The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO): ARIPO facilitates cooperation among member states on IP matters, offering a unified regional approach to IPR.

4. Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle (OAPI): OAPI provides IPR support to 17 member countries in West and Francophone Africa under the Bangui Agreement.

5. African Model Legislation for the Protection of Local Communities and Biological Resources (2000): The legislation protects biodiversity and livelihood systems, fostering grassroots green innovations.

6. African Union Green Recovery Action Plan (AU-GRAP): AU-GRAP emphasises the role of IPR and technology transfer in driving sustainable development, fostering green innovation and creating jobs across Africa's transitioning economy.

7. African Union Great Green Wall Initiative and Ten-Year Implementation Framework: These aim to combat desertification, enhance environmental sustainability and promote green growth by restoring degraded landscapes and fostering community resilience across Africa’s Sahel region.

While these frameworks provide essential tools for IPR and greentech, the diversity of policies can challenge entrepreneurs navigating national and regional systems to develop and scale innovations.The interplay between global and regional ecosystems supporting IPR, trade and greentech transfer is vital for Africa's sustainable development. By leveraging platforms like WIPO GREEN and harmonising regional frameworks, African economies can enhance greentech adoption, create jobs and position themselves as leaders in eco-innovation. However, efforts must focus on streamlining IPR systems to ensure accessibility and scalability for green entrepreneurs across the continent.

Source: Author’s Construct, 2025

AfCFTA Protocol on IPR

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers a unique opportunity to embed technology transfer within trade protocols. It could stimulate demand for green innovations and attract foreign technology providers to invest in Africa’s greentech potential for job creation. While AfCFTA’s IPR protocols do not specifically target greentech, they do hold potential for green growth. The AfCFTA Protocol on IPR was adopted by the AU in February 2023, aiming to promote African innovation and support clean energy access and a fair energy transition. Organisations like ARIPO further facilitate IP cooperation among AU member states.

AfCFTA fosters an environment that supports greentech transfer by reducing tariffs and harmonising trade policies to facilitate cross-border technology exchange. This setup accelerates the adoption of renewable technologies, supporting sustainable growth and job creation. The harmonised IPR framework protects local inventions, encouraging domestic green solutions that drive job growth in renewable energy, water management and sustainable agriculture. Moreover, AfCFTA’s IPR assurances can attract foreign investment, enhancing greentech development across the continent. It also promotes regional collaboration, allowing African countries to share resources and expertise, bridging skills gaps and expanding employment in fields like solar energy and climate-smart agriculture. However, stricter IP protections may limit access to essential greentech, particularly for financially constrained countries. Similarly, the costs associated with acquiring these technologies could restrict widespread adoption, impeding job growth. Additionally, wealthier nations may benefit more from IP protections, while less affluent countries might struggle to afford advanced greentech, potentially creating imbalances in who has access to these technologies and job creation across Africa.

African Union Green Recovery Action Plan 2021-2027

The African Union Green Recovery Action Plan (AU-GRAP) aims to support greentech transfer by prioritising investments in green sectors, such as renewable energy and resilient infrastructure, and promoting green job creation. 

The AU-GRAP outlines ambitious goals to advance renewable energy across the continent, including securing investments and promoting technology transfer for grid expansion, transmission, distribution and efficiency improvements. However, the mechanisms within the plan that directly support technology transfer are not explicitly detailed. While the AU-GRAP highlights the need for investment and deployment of renewable energy infrastructure, it lacks explicit mechanisms to directly facilitate technology transfer, such as IPR frameworks, capacity-building initiatives or structured, knowledge-sharing platforms. Strengthening these components within the plan would significantly enhance its effectiveness in advancing renewable energy and achieving its SDGs.

The AU-GRAP hopes to foster regional partnerships and funding mechanisms for technology transfer, aligning with global environmental goals to integrate greentech into national policies and open IP-sharing pathways for affordable adoption. The AU-GRAP also emphasises R&D in greentech, which helps build a homegrown greentech sector, reducing dependency on foreign tech and creating jobs in innovation, manufacturing and maintenance.

However, challenges like limited financial and technical resources could restrict large-scale greentech adoption and job creation in many African countries. The AU-GRAP’s focus on R&D and local innovation may also face hurdles in IPR protection, as non-uniform IP policies across countries could limit cross-border technology transfer and collaborative innovation, which is essential for green growth.

African Union Great Green Wall Initiative and Ten-Year Implementation Framework

The African Union Great Green Wall Initiative is a flagship project targeting desertification and land degradation across 11 Sahelian countries. Its ambitious goals include restoring 100 million hectares of degraded land, sequestering 250 million tons of carbon and creating 10 million green jobs by 2030. The initiative supports greentech transfer through climate-resilient practices like sustainable agriculture, reforestation and water conservation, which bolster regional resilience and create employment in agriculture, forestry and ecosystem management.

Additionally, it fosters skills development by equipping rural communities with the knowledge to manage and sustain greentech, thereby increasing job opportunities where they are often needed most. Its ecosystem-based focus on sustainable technology use, such as bioengineering and soil enhancement, also opens pathways for innovation and local IP creation.

However, the initiative faces challenges in implementing IPR protections for community-based innovations, as traditional knowledge integral to these practices often falls outside conventional IP frameworks, limiting their commercial potential. For instance, the burden of proof for communities claiming ownership of innovations, which often lacks formal documentation, faces challenges. Furthermore, the project’s dependence on external funding and foreign technologies risks limiting Africa’s autonomy in greentech development. Without affordable technology access or the ability to develop local alternatives, the potential for sustainable job creation could be restricted in the long term. Further, it has emphasised the need for greentech and technology transfer as a strategy towards climate resilient green infrastructure but fails to outline the IPR mechanisms for achieving this. 

National policy frameworks

Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria are emerging as leading greentech hubs in Africa, and could leverage IPR frameworks to foster innovation, address climate challenges and create sustainable jobs. These nations are building ecosystems that combine technological advancements, supportive policies and robust entrepreneurial activity to drive the green economy. Their experiences illustrate how effective IPR regimes, tailored to the unique needs of greentech, can catalyse innovation. By integrating effective IPR systems with supportive policies and investment, Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria are not only addressing their environmental challenges but also positioning themselves as leaders in Africa’s green transition. This analysis explores their strategies, challenges and successes, offering valuable lessons for other nations aiming to harness greentech for sustainable development and economic growth.

Case study: Kenya’s emergence as Africa’s clean tech hub

As Nigeria rises as Africa’s fintech giant, Kenya is on track to become the continent's clean tech hub. The country attracted 63% of Africa’s cleantech investment in 2023, with renewable energy and clean mobility leading the charge. 

Kenya has developed a robust legal framework to manage and protect IPR, which supports innovation and facilitates technology transfer across various sectors. The Constitution of Kenya (2010) provides the foundational mandate for intellectual property protection, with Article 40(5) obligating the state to promote and safeguard IPR. This constitutional backing underscores the country’s commitment to fostering innovation and enabling the sharing of technology.

The Industrial Property Act (2001) plays a central role in Kenya’s IPR ecosystem by governing patents, industrial designs and utility models. This act includes mechanisms like compulsory licensing and patent pools, which are essential for enabling access to patented technologies and supporting technology transfer from global firms to local innovators. While the act does not explicitly target greentech, it provides a framework for protecting innovations in renewable energy, waste management and other sustainable solutions. These provisions make it an important tool for promoting technology transfer in sectors critical to Kenya’s green growth agenda.

The Trademarks Act (Cap 506) complements the Industrial Property Act by supporting brand recognition and market access for innovative products. By protecting trademarks and service marks, the act enhances the commercialisation of local technologies, indirectly facilitating technology transfer. Similarly, the Copyright Act (2001) ensures the protection of literary works, software and digital tools, which, while not directly tied to technology transfer, underpin advancements in ICT and related industries. Additionally, the Anti-Counterfeit Act (2008) safeguards legitimate products and technologies by combating counterfeit goods, fostering trust and investment in technology transfer processes.

Kenya’s IPR framework also addresses agricultural innovation through the Seeds and Plant Varieties Act (Cap 326), which protects plant breeders’ rights. This law promotes the development and dissemination of climate-resilient crops, enabling technology transfer in the agricultural sector. Although there are no explicit provisions for greentech in Kenya’s IPR laws, existing frameworks provide a foundation for protecting renewable energy and sustainable innovations.

The country’s IPR system supports technology transfer through mechanisms such as compulsory licensing, which enables access to patented technologies for public interest purposes, and patent pools, which encourage collaborative innovation. National institutions like the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI) further strengthen the system by raising awareness and fostering the use of IPR to support local innovation ecosystems.

In conclusion, Kenya’s IPR framework is comprehensive and indirectly supports technology transfer through patents, trademarks and other legal mechanisms. While it lacks explicit provisions for greentech, the existing laws create a foundation for protecting innovations in renewable energy, agriculture and sustainable development. Strengthening IPR policies to explicitly target greentech would further enhance Kenya’s capacity to leverage technology transfer for economic growth and environmental sustainability.

Kenya’s participation in international organisations such as the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) enhances cross-border IP management and protection. The country’s IP strengths include a strong legal framework, innovation policy (including Vision 2030) and regional collaboration via ARIPO, creating a favourable environment for local innovation, commercialisation and IP protection for Kenyan businesses regionally and globally.

Kenya's Green Economy Strategy and Implementation Plan (GESIP) 2016–2030 provides a framework for transitioning to a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy, indirectly supporting greentech transfer and IPR. While the plan does not explicitly address IPR or mechanisms for technology transfer, its focus on sustainable infrastructure, resource efficiency and natural resource management fosters an environment conducive to adopting greentech. Thematic areas like resilience building and sustainable livelihoods further emphasise the need for disseminating green innovations. However, achieving these goals would require explicit strategies for facilitating technology transfer and robust IPR frameworks to ensure innovators are incentivised while technologies remain accessible for widespread use. By integrating these considerations, GESIP could enhance its support for Kenya's green economic transition.

The recent launch of the UNDP Timbuktoo Clean Tech Hub in Kenya aims to support innovators in overcoming challenges in greentech development and scaling, further enhancing

Kenya’s thriving greentech ecosystem.

Kenya’s Kenya Energy Transition & Investment Plan 2023-2050 emphasises decarbonisation technologies, including renewable energy, green hydrogen, e-mobility, energy storage and clean cooking. Supported by USD 70 million from the Climate Investment Funds, the plan targets 500,000 additional jobs beyond 2050 across the economy. The policy is anchored on technology development and adoption in areas related to batteries for storage and smart grids, both of which will require technology transfer and cooperation. However, the strategy fails to outline clear pathways for acquiring or transferring the knowledge in developing the technologies to support this growth. 

The launch of Kenya’s electric transport system with close to 100 greentech companies lays the groundwork for Kenya’s clean tech prominence in Africa and around the world. Bilateral partnerships, such as the Kenya-US Climate Partnership, which focuses on clean energy deployment and industrialisation, also advance Kenya's green growth. Regionally, the AfCFTA has provided Kenya with an expanded greentech market, and its IPR protocols ensure protection for Kenyan innovations. The spotlights below show how BasiGo and Burn Manufacturing are working with partners for knowledge transfer in the e-mobility space in Kenya.

Company overview

BasiGo, established in 2021 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, is a pioneering e-mobility startup revolutionising East Africa's public transportation by introducing electric buses as cost-effective, environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional diesel-powered vehicles.

Technology transfer and local assembly

A significant aspect of BasiGo's operations is the local assembly of electric buses. By establishing Kenya's first dedicated assembly line for electric buses, BasiGo plans to produce 1,000 units over the next three years. This initiative not only facilitates the transfer of advanced electric vehicle (EV) technology to Kenya but also contributes to the development of local expertise in electric bus manufacturing and maintenance.

Capacity building and employment

BasiGo's operations are projected to create approximately 300 green manufacturing jobs, with an additional 300 jobs in charging infrastructure, service and maintenance, and EV finance. Collaborations with programmes like the Africa REMI (Renewable Energy Manufacturing Initiative) further support capacity building by providing specialised training required for the assembly and maintenance of modern EVs in East Africa.

Environmental and economic impact

As of 2024, BasiGo has deployed 25 electric buses in Kenya and Rwanda, collectively covering over 1.6 million kilometres and transporting more than 2.5 million passengers. Leveraging East Africa's predominantly renewable energy sources, this operation has mitigated over 800 tons of CO₂ emissions. By providing bus operators with stability and independence from fluctuating diesel prices, BasiGo contributes to a more sustainable and economically viable public transport ecosystem.

BasiGo exemplifies successful greentech transfer in Kenya's public transport sector. Through local assembly, capacity building and strategic partnerships, BasiGo is not only introducing advanced EV technology to the region, but is fostering local expertise and employment, contributing to Kenya's transition towards sustainable and inclusive public transportation.

Source: SEforALL (2024)

Company overview

Burn Manufacturing, headquartered in Kenya, is a leading producer of energy-efficient cookstoves, driving significant environmental and health improvements across Africa. Since its inception, the company has sold nearly 5.4 million clean stoves, directly impacting over 27.6 million lives by reducing household air pollution and preventing over 50.9 million tons of CO₂ emissions as of 2025. Its innovative cookstoves enhance health outcomes, mitigate environmental degradation and contribute to economic growth by creating jobs and fostering local manufacturing capacity.

Facilitating greentech transfer

Burn Manufacturing exemplifies greentech transfer by developing affordable, efficient cookstoves that reduce reliance on traditional biomass fuels. In 2010, the company set up Burn Design Lab and BURN Manufacturing Co. on Vashon Island, Washington, where the technology development started. BURN has assembled a team of world-class designers and engineers who are equally committed to designing the most fuel-efficient cookers in the world. In 2014, BURN launched its first full manufacturing facility in Kenya – the first and only of its kind – and now trains engineers and transfers that knowledge to partners locally across the value chain. By manufacturing locally, the company ensures that advanced cooking technologies are accessible to African households, promoting the widespread adoption of cleaner cooking methods while building on the skills of employees and partners in the ecosystem.

Impact on job creation and local skills development

The company's operations have generated numerous jobs in manufacturing, sales and distribution within Kenya. By training local employees in production and technical support, Burn Manufacturing enhances the skill sets of the workforce, contributing to the growth of the greentech sector in the region. Operating in nine African countries and employing 2,500 people, Burn has established itself as a key player in sustainable energy solutions.

Sector influence and expansion

Burn Manufacturing's success has positioned it as a leader in clean cooking solutions, influencing energy policies and practices across Africa. The company's initiatives, such as launching Africa's first carbon credit futures based on emissions reductions from efficient cookstoves, demonstrate innovative approaches to financing and scaling greentech. Burn Manufacturing has had a profound impact across Africa by addressing environmental, health and economic challenges through its fuel-efficient cookstoves. The company generates clean cooking carbon credits to fight against deforestation and improve livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa and has so far created over 2500 jobs since 2013. Additionally, Burn’s cookstoves have generated significant economic savings, amounting to USD 1.8 billion in household expenditures, showcasing the company’s role in promoting sustainable living and financial resilience.

Sources: Time (2024); United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) (2024); Gadgets Africa (2023); Key Carbon (n.d.)

Case Study: How Ghana is advancing greentech transfer and jobs through IPR

Ghana is emerging as a key player in Africa's greentech landscape, leveraging its policy frameworks and growing innovation ecosystem to advance renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and waste management technologies. With its strategic focus on IPR and cross-sector collaborations, Ghana is positioning itself as a leader in the green economy, driving both technology transfer and job creation.

Ghana's IPR framework aims to protect creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, designs, and symbols used in commerce. The National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS), launched in 2016, strengthens the management of Ghana's IP system and aligns it with international commitments under the WTO's Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement. This policy promotes innovation and creativity across sectors. NIPPS actively supports technology transfer by promoting the commercial exploitation of IPR and mandating the inclusion of training and capacity-building components in technology transfer agreements. This ensures that local stakeholders gain the skills and knowledge needed to effectively use and adapt transferred technologies. By fostering innovation and collaboration, the policy aims to create an enabling environment for technology transfer across sectors, driving economic modernisation and growth.

A key focus of the strategy is the agricultural sector, where NIPPS emphasises the development, application and transfer of agro-based technologies to enhance sustainable agriculture, food security and industrial growth through value addition. Additionally, NIPPS prioritises the promotion of technology and knowledge transfer both within Ghana and from international sources to improve productivity in enterprises and industries. By ensuring that technology transfer is accompanied by capacity-building frameworks, the policy strengthens Ghana’s ability to adopt and sustain advanced technologies, contributing to sustainable development and economic resilience.

The country’s legislative framework includes several key laws: The Copyright Act, 2005 (Act 690) protects literary, musical and artistic works, including software and digital content; the Patents Act, 2003 (Act 657) grants exclusive rights to inventors by protecting innovations; and the Trademarks Act, 2004 (Act 664) safeguards distinctive signs, logos and expressions identifying products or services. Additionally, the Industrial Designs Act, 2003 (Act 660) ensures protection for the aesthetic aspects of products, providing a comprehensive legal structure for diverse forms of intellectual property.

Ghana is a signatory to several international treaties which integrate its IPR system into global frameworks. These include the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), the WIPO Copyright Treaty and the Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks. These agreements strengthen Ghana’s ability to protect local innovations globally and attract foreign investment in its innovation ecosystem.

The institutional actors responsible for implementing Ghana’s IPR policies include the Registrar General’s Department (RGD), which administers patents, trademarks and industrial designs, and the Copyright Office, which handles registration and enforcement of copyright-related matters. The Ghana Intellectual Property Office (GIPO) coordinates IP policy implementation and serves as a liaison with international IP bodies, ensuring effective alignment with global standards.

Currently, Ghana’s IPR framework does not include provisions tailored for greentech. However, general IP laws apply to innovations in this sector. For instance, the Patents Act protects environmentally friendly inventions, and the Industrial Designs Act safeguards unique designs of eco-friendly products. The absence of dedicated greentech provisions highlights an opportunity for policy development to further encourage sustainable innovation and address climate-related challenges.

In conclusion, Ghana’s IPR framework is comprehensive, covering various forms of intellectual property and aligning with international standards. While there are no explicit provisions for greentech, the existing laws provide a solid foundation for protecting innovations in this emerging sector, with potential for further policy enhancements to drive sustainable development.

Green economy initiatives and technology transfer in Ghana

Ghana’s National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) 2015 and its Renewable Energy Master Plan prioritise scaling renewable energy technologies to meet 10% of its energy demand by 2030. The frameworks target solar, biomass and mini-hydro solutions, aiming to foster local innovation and attract foreign investment in greentech. Supported by international financing, Ghana has also initiated waste-to-energy projects and expanded its solar energy footprint, creating opportunities for technology transfer and greentech jobs. However, there are no provisions for technology IRP mechanisms and technology transfer for achieving the renewable energy plan. The strategy does, however, set forth for companies the authorisation procedures and specificities of different renewable energy technologies (RETs). 

The Ghana National Green Jobs Strategy 2021-2025 emphasises the importance of green skills and innovation as key enablers for advancing greentech development. The strategy highlights the implementation of training programmes aimed at equipping individuals with the skills necessary for novelty, exploration and advancement in greentech. By focusing on skill development, the strategy creates a foundation for fostering innovation and enabling R&D. This aligns with the broader goals of sustainable development by promoting environmental stewardship, economic diversification and job creation within green sectors.

However, while the strategy robustly addresses the need for green skills and innovation, it lacks specific provisions or strategies for leveraging intellectual property (IP) to support technology transfer. Intellectual property rights play a critical role in protecting green innovations, facilitating collaboration and enabling the transfer of environmentally sound technologies across borders. The absence of clear IP strategies in the framework leaves a gap in fully operationalising technology transfer mechanisms. Without addressing how IP can be used to incentivise and safeguard green innovation, the strategy risks missing an opportunity to maximise the impact of greentech on Ghana's SDGs. Integrating IP frameworks into the strategy would ensure that innovations are protected and effectively disseminated, creating a more comprehensive approach to greentech advancement.

The country is also home to the Green Economy Ghana project, an initiative run in collaboration with the European Union. This project focuses on promoting sustainable agriculture, recycling and clean energy adoption. By integrating knowledge exchange mechanisms and skills development programmes, Ghana aims to empower its youth to lead advancements in greentech.

SolarTaxi, founded in 2018 by Jorge Appiah, is a pioneering Ghanaian e-mobility company that designs, assembles and distributes electric vehicles (EVs) powered by renewable energy. Offering a range of vehicles, including electric motorcycles, tricycles and cars, the company provides affordable and eco-friendly transportation solutions tailored to local needs. SolarTaxi has emerged as a key player in Ghana’s transition toward sustainable mobility, addressing both economic and environmental challenges.

Solar Taxi’s technology capabilities are largely limited to assembling EVs, most of whose parts are imported at high cost from Southeast Asia with some customisation to local market demands. They have limited rights to reproduce the key components and have to depend on international imports for local assembly. Building technology networks and creating platforms to facilitate ties between local firms, external financiers and multinational enterprises could accelerate technology transfer to local players. 

The company has secured significant funding and support for its operations and expansion. SolarTaxi's initial launch and development has been supported by the Mastercard Foundation in partnership with Kumasi Hive. In 2022, Persistent, a venture builder specialising in off-grid energy and e-mobility in sub-Saharan Africa, invested in SolarTaxi, providing essential working capital to fulfil large orders and contracts for its EVs. Additional support from Google for Startups, Qualcomm Make in Africa, and Samata Capital has brought SolarTaxi’s total funding to approximately USD 1.25 million, reflecting confidence in its potential to scale.

SolarTaxi has made a substantial impact on employment in Ghana, creating opportunities across its value chain. The company employs 76 staff members, including drivers, technicians and administrative personnel. Over a two-year period, it has generated more than 2,000 jobs, primarily for young people, contributing to economic growth and skills development in renewable energy and e-mobility. The establishment of a female-driver training academy further demonstrates SolarTaxi’s commitment to gender inclusion, equipping women with the skills needed to operate and maintain EVs and enhancing their participation in the transportation and technology sectors.

The environmental benefits of SolarTaxi’s operations are equally significant. By promoting the use of EVs powered by renewable energy, the company helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve urban air quality. Its efforts align with global climate change mitigation initiatives and Ghana’s national goals for environmentally sustainable transportation. While specific data on carbon savings is not publicly available, SolarTaxi’s adoption of renewable-energy-powered vehicles is widely recognised as a crucial step in reducing emissions associated with traditional fossil-fuel-based transport.

Through strategic funding, innovative employment strategies and a commitment to environmental sustainability, SolarTaxi exemplifies how e-mobility solutions can drive sustainable development. Its success demonstrates the potential of greentech to simultaneously address environmental concerns and create economic opportunities, establishing a model for similar initiatives across Africa.

Source: Author’s Construct, 2025

Impact on job creation and skills development

Ghana’s focus on greentech seeks to create thousands of jobs, particularly for youth. SolarTaxi, for instance, has employed hundreds of Ghanaians across its value chain, from assembly to technical support. Skills development initiatives linked to greentech projects enhance the employability of Ghana’s workforce, enabling them to meet the demands of a transitioning economy.

Link to IPR and technology transfer

SolarTaxi operates within Ghana’s evolving IPR framework, benefiting indirectly from national and international IP systems that support innovation. Ghana’s membership in ARIPO and WIPO, along with its national patent and copyright laws, provides a legal environment that encourages innovation and helps protect locally developed customisations. While SolarTaxi primarily assembles EVs using imported parts, its efforts to tailor these to local market demands – such as design adaptations and operational models – could qualify for IP protection under Ghana’s existing frameworks.

However, the case also highlights a key challenge: limited access to full rights over core technologies. The company is dependent on imported components and lacks reproduction rights for many of them, restricting its ability to deepen localisation or reduce production costs. This reflects a common issue across Africa, where local firms often have limited negotiating power in international technology partnerships. As a result, the full benefits of technology transfer – such as local manufacturing, deeper supply chain integration and IP generation – remain constrained.

Lessons learned and policy implications

A key lesson from SolarTaxi is the importance of developing local IP capacity and ownership in greentech. To advance beyond basic assembly, firms need support in negotiating licensing agreements, developing in-house innovations and protecting their own IP. Building platforms that link local firms with international partners, financiers and IP experts can facilitate more equitable technology transfer.

Moreover, by aligning with regional and global standards, Ghana’s IPR frameworks create an enabling environment for green innovators. Yet the case of SolarTaxi shows that legal frameworks alone are not enough: There must be concerted efforts to build technical, financial and legal capacities for local firms to create, use and protect their IP. Supporting IP awareness, providing legal aid for IP filings and fostering open innovation or patent pools in key sectors like e-mobility could empower companies like SolarTaxi to scale more sustainably and create even more green jobs.

In sum, the SolarTaxi spotlight reveals both the promise and limitations of current IPR systems in enabling greentech transfer in Africa. It underscores the need for deeper local integration into global IP systems, more proactive technology partnerships and a focus on developing endogenous innovation capacities to maximise the job creation potential of greentech.

Case Study: How Nigeria is strengthening greentech innovation through IPR

Nigeria, Africa's largest economy, is steadily expanding its greentech footprint through innovative policies and projects in renewable energy, waste management and agriculture. With its robust entrepreneurial culture and growing focus on intellectual property rights (IPR), Nigeria is fostering greentech transfer to address environmental challenges while generating employment opportunities. Nigeria’s IPR framework is anchored by national laws like the Patents and Designs Act and the Copyright Act. The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment oversee IPR enforcement, ensuring a supportive environment for innovators. Nigeria’s membership in international organisations such as WIPO and the TRIPS Agreement facilitates cross-border IP management, enabling the protection of local innovations on a global scale.

Nigeria’s greentech ecosystem benefits from collaborations with international stakeholders who bring advanced technologies and expertise. Green Village Electricity (GVE), a leading mini-grid developer in Nigeria, has successfully integrated knowledge transfer into its operations through strategic partnerships with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). These partnerships play a pivotal role in equipping GVE with the technical expertise and resources required to provide innovative renewable energy solutions for off-grid communities.

One key aspect of these partnerships is the training provided by OEMs to GVE’s engineers. This ensures that GVE’s technical team is proficient in performing after-sales services, maintaining high operational standards and managing solar components efficiently. Such training not only enhances the skill set of GVE’s workforce but also reduces the company's reliance on external contractors, significantly lowering operating expenses. Furthermore, the hands-on knowledge gained from these collaborations empowers GVE to offer reliable maintenance and repair services, ensuring long-term sustainability for its renewable energy projects.

Additionally, GVE’s partnerships enable the company to access high-quality solar installation materials at reduced costs, contributing to the affordability of its services for end-users. By securing extended warranties and free replacements for damaged components during the warranty period, GVE ensures continuous service delivery while building trust with its clients. This cost efficiency allows the company to reinvest savings into training programmes and operational improvements, fostering a cycle of knowledge enhancement and innovation.

Integrating IPR into these partnerships ensures local innovators can commercialise their products while attracting foreign investment. By strengthening its IPR framework and promoting green innovation, Nigeria can build a foundation for sustainable economic growth and job creation in the greentech sector.

National Climate Change Policy for Nigeria (2021-2030)

The National Climate Change Policy highlights the promotion and financing of environmentally appropriate technologies, emphasising inclusivity by targeting gender and youth. It also underscores the importance of South-South cooperation for climate-resilient technological development. However, the policy does not outline specific mechanisms or pathways for achieving these objectives, such as frameworks for intellectual property protection, capacity building or incentives for private-sector participation. The lack of financing guidelines for technology transfer projects and limited public-private partnership (PPP) initiatives further restrict its operationalisation. To address these gaps, the policy could develop a roadmap for PPPs and funding South-South technology collaborations, ensuring that these initiatives are sustainable and impactful.

Nigeria National Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policy (NREEEP)

The NREEEP aims to accelerate the acquisition and diffusion of renewable energy technologies by fostering Indigenous capacity and promoting self-reliance. While it prioritises technology transfer, the policy lacks detailed strategies for incentivising local innovation and ensuring the seamless diffusion of technologies. The absence of IPR mechanisms leaves a critical gap in safeguarding innovations and encouraging their adoption. Additionally, there are no outlined incentives for international investors or businesses to engage in technology transfer activities. Strengthening this policy with tax incentives, grants and structured frameworks for monitoring technology diffusion could significantly enhance its effectiveness in fostering renewable energy adoption.

Nigeria National Policy on the Environment (Revised 2016)

This policy emphasises international scientific collaboration and the sharing of information and technologies to address environmental challenges. While it recognises the value of collaboration, it does not provide a clear framework for operationalising partnerships with international scientific institutions or aligning these initiatives with local capacity building. The lack of mechanisms for funding collaborative projects further limits its ability to support technology transfer effectively. To bridge these gaps, the policy could focus on establishing agreements with global institutions and incorporating capacity-building programmes to equip local stakeholders with the skills needed to adopt and adapt greentech.

These policies create a platform for technology transfer by attracting foreign investments and collaborations, particularly in renewable energy and sustainable agriculture sectors. For instance, Nigeria’s partnership with Siemens under the Presidential Power Initiative facilitates the transfer of advanced energy technologies to upgrade the country’s power infrastructure, creating jobs and improving access to electricity.

To support local greentech development, Nigeria has initiated programmes like the Energizing Education Programme, which powers universities with renewable energy, and the Waste-to-Wealth initiative, which converts agricultural and urban waste into energy and valuable products. These programmes foster innovation and technology transfer while addressing critical environmental challenges.

Company overview

Releaf, founded in 2017 by Ikenna Nzewi and Uzoma Ayogu, is a Nigerian agritech company specialising in the industrial processing of agricultural products, particularly oil palm. The company focuses on developing and deploying advanced machinery to enhance efficiency and productivity in Nigeria's agricultural sector.

Greentech innovations

In January 2023, Releaf secured USD 3.3 million in pre-series A funding, enabling the launch of two groundbreaking technologies: Kraken II and SITE.

• Kraken II: A portable, cost-effective version of Releaf's original palm nut de-sheller, Kraken II maintains high efficiency while reducing costs. Its mobility allows deployment in high-density farming areas, significantly cutting logistics expenses and minimising the carbon footprint associated with crop transportation.

• SITE: Developed in collaboration with Stanford University's Professor David Lobell, SITE is a geospatial mapping application that analyses variables such as oil palm age, soil type and rainfall. This data-driven approach optimises the placement of processing equipment, enhancing operational efficiency and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Knowledge transfer and collaborative partnerships

Releaf's collaboration with international research institutions exemplifies effective knowledge transfer. The development of SITE with Professor Lobell’s team meant that advanced remote sensing solutions tailored to Nigeria's agricultural landscape could be integrated into the application. Additionally, Releaf utilises data from organisations like the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), integrating global expertise to refine its technologies.

Intellectual property considerations

While specific details about Releaf's IP strategies are not publicly disclosed, the development of proprietary technologies like Kraken II and SITE underscores the importance of IP protection. Securing patents and trademarks for these innovations would safeguard Releaf's competitive advantage, encourage further investment and promote sustainable technological advancements in Nigeria's agritech sector.

Impact and recognition

Releaf's technological advancements have significantly impacted Nigeria's agricultural sector by improving processing efficiency, reducing post-harvest losses and increasing profitability for smallholder farmers. The recent funding and successful deployment of Kraken II and SITE highlight Releaf's role in driving sustainable development and economic growth within the region.

Releaf exemplifies how Nigerian agritech companies can leverage greentech innovations and international collaborations to enhance agricultural productivity. Through strategic partnerships and the development of proprietary technologies, Releaf contributes to the modernisation and sustainability of Nigeria's agriculture, offering valuable insights for similar emerging markets.

Source: Author’s Construct, 2025

Challenges of IPR in scaling greentech

Commercialising IPR in Africa for greentech transfer and job creation presents several challenges that limit the potential of IPR as a driver of sustainable economic growth. Overcoming these barriers is especially important in the greentech sector, where innovation, accessibility and equitable commercialisation are essential for fostering eco-friendly solutions and generating employment across the continent. Below is an expanded overview of some of the key challenges, with examples from African contexts.

Policy fragmentation and inconsistency of IPR with limited focus on greentech transfer

Africa's IPR regulatory landscape is complex, with gaps that hinder greentech transfer. While the AfCFTA provides general IPR provisions, frameworks like the AU-GRAP and the Great Green Wall Initiative lack targeted IPR strategies for greentech, limiting Africa's ability to secure and share innovations in renewable energy and sustainable agriculture. The Continental Strategy on Geographical Indications (2017) supports rural communities by offering IPR ownership but focuses more on food security than greentech.

Organisations such as ARIPO and OAPI add complexity, covering different regions with varying IPR protections and challenging cross-border greentech investments. The African Model Legislation for the Protection of the Rights of Local Communities focuses on biodiversity, not directly aiding tech transfer. To support sustainable growth, Africa would benefit from expanded and harmonised IPR policies tailored to greentech, boosting innovation and job creation in key sectors like solar energy and agriculture.

Africa’s IP frameworks and green policies are often fragmented, outdated and inconsistently enforced, creating significant barriers to greentech innovation and commercialisation. These fragmented systems fail to address modern challenges such as greentech, digital innovation and biotechnology, discouraging local and international investment. The lack of harmonisation between IPR frameworks and green policies further complicates technology transfer and development, with innovators facing high costs of IP registration and weak protections that increase the risk of infringement without reliable legal recourse. This fragmentation particularly affects smaller green startups, leaving them vulnerable compared to larger firms with greater resources. For example, innovators in eco-agriculture or renewable energy struggle to secure patents or defend their inventions due to weak enforcement and limited expertise in IP cases. Addressing these issues by strengthening IPR frameworks, aligning green policies with IP systems, lowering registration costs and providing legal support for startups would enhance greentech commercialisation, attract investment and create high-potential jobs for youth in sustainable sectors.

Information asymmetry on IPR for greentech innovations

To fully harness the potential of Africa’s green jobs market, it is essential to establish a comprehensive understanding of the market opportunity through data-driven analysis. Information asymmetry on IPR poses significant challenges to greentech innovation, particularly in developing regions. First, IPR awareness among stakeholders is low, further affecting their adoption by green innovators. Innovators and policymakers often lack adequate knowledge about how to navigate IPR systems, leading to underutilisation of available frameworks such as green patents, geographic indicators, trademarks and utility models. Additionally, limited access to global databases and expertise restricts innovators from identifying existing technologies, assessing their patent status or leveraging open-access solutions. This imbalance hinders the effective transfer and adaptation of greentech, exacerbating the gap between developed and developing economies. Bridging these gaps involves investing in training programmes to educate stakeholders and provide open access to global patent databases. Simplifying IPR application processes and promoting collaboration through platforms like patent pools or licensing frameworks can further facilitate technology transfer and innovation. Such insights will inform investment decisions and enable coordinated efforts among governments, private sector actors and international organisations to unlock opportunities for green growth and employment.

Greentech and IPR repositories and marketplaces offer transformative tools for accelerating this transition. For instance, the WIPO GREEN database is a free, global innovation database that connects needs for solving environmental or climate change problems with tangible solutions. The platform connects partners for innovation transfer and sharing among entrepreneurs and researchers. While Africans have access to the database, there is no local green IPR database operating either independently or in alignment with the ARIPO.

Repositories provide centralised platforms for cataloguing and sharing IP related to greentech, enabling stakeholders to access innovations that address local challenges. Marketplaces further support the commercialisation of intellectual property, connecting innovators, investors and technology adopters through mechanisms such as licensing agreements and patent pools. These platforms are vital for facilitating the diffusion of technologies critical for creating jobs in sectors like renewable energy, waste management and sustainable agriculture, while also empowering African innovators to scale their solutions and monetise their IP. 

Equally important is ensuring inclusivity in the green economy, particularly by addressing gender equity. Women face systemic barriers to education and green job opportunities, which must be countered through targeted training programmes and access to resources in greentech and IPR repositories. Globally, women face significant systemic barriers to participating in education and employment within greentech sectors. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), women represent only 32% of the renewable energy workforce, with an even smaller proportion in technical and decision-making roles. Limited access to STEM education, gender biases and lack of training programmes in greentech disproportionately hinder women from accessing green job opportunities. Additionally, access to IPR systems remains a challenge, as women file fewer patents globally: Only 16% of patent applicants in 2022 were women, according to WIPO.

Across the global south, women-focused green training and incubation programmes have been rolled out to help female-led, green businesses grow. Below are case examples of such training platforms and how they could facilitate knowledge transfer. 

India’s Women Solar Engineers (Barefoot College)

The Barefoot College in India trains women from rural areas as solar engineers, equipping them with skills to install and maintain solar panels in their communities. This initiative has enabled technology transfer by empowering women with technical expertise, directly contributing to renewable energy adoption in underserved areas.

Kenya’s Women in Biogas Production

Kenya, women-led biogas projects have demonstrated how targeted training in greentech can empower communities. By providing women with access to technical training and funding, these programmes facilitate local innovation and the adoption of sustainable energy solutions.

Nigeria’s SheWorks Programme

Focused on bridging the gender gap in technology, this programme includes greentech training for women, enabling them to take leadership roles in renewable energy and sustainability initiatives. Participants have successfully developed solutions for energy-efficient cooking and solar lighting, driving localised technology transfer.

These platforms can nurture and showcase women-led innovations and offer pathways for greater inclusion. Closing the gap by including women can drive a more inclusive technology transfer agenda. 

IPR, market access and competition

In Africa, competition laws place limits on how IPR can be used in business to prevent monopolistic behaviour. These laws are designed to stop companies from using IPR to fix prices, divide markets or unfairly restrict how their rights are used. While this helps maintain fair competition, it can also make it harder for greentech companies to fully bring their innovations to market. For example, a clean energy company in South Africa may be restricted from deciding how its technology is rolled out in specific regions, which could limit its ability to create jobs through targeted, localised deployment. Striking a balance between competition rules and IP rights would enable greentech companies to plan and scale their technologies more strategically, supporting both fair market practices and job creation.

Insufficient emphasis on licensing models for technology accessibility

Current policies such as AfCFTA, AU-GRAP and the Great Green Wall Initiative lack emphasis on flexible licensing models – such as patent pools, compulsory licensing or public-private partnerships – which are crucial for making greentech affordable and accessible, especially for resource-limited nations. Without these models, African countries struggle to access essential greentech like water purification systems or energy-efficient machinery at lower costs, limiting widespread adoption. This accessibility gap particularly affects rural job growth, as high costs hinder the deployment of agricultural and renewable energy technologies. Implementing flexible licensing arrangements could scale greentech adoption across high-potential sectors, supporting job creation in renewable energy, climate-resilient agriculture and water management and accelerating Africa’s green transformation.

Skills gap, workforce development and awareness

Africa faces a critical shortage of skilled professionals and standardised frameworks for valuing intellectual property (IP) assets and drafting IPR agreements, limited access to IP-related education and training, and a general need for more awareness about the importance of IPR. Without experienced valuers, IP assets are often undervalued by lenders and investors, hindering companies – for example, a renewable energy firm with solar patents – from securing fair financing. Additionally, the absence of robust IP education and training programmes leaves young Africans unprepared for roles in IP management, enforcement and commercialisation, limiting opportunities in greentech sectors. Compounding this, limited awareness among entrepreneurs, innovators and policymakers about the value of IPR results in unprotected inventions, missed investment opportunities and vulnerability to replication. The skills gap and capacities have both supply and demand effects. While there are limited skills to produce greentech and infrastructure, there is the demand side, where industries that will make use of greentech don’t have the skills or absorptive capacities to develop IPR arrangements that facilitate knowledge transfer. Addressing these challenges through training programmes, awareness campaigns and standardised valuation frameworks would enhance IP utilisation, foster greetech commercialisation and create job opportunities for youth in sustainable industries. 

High cost of IP registration and maintenance

The financial burden associated with IP registration and maintenance can be prohibitive for many African innovators, especially those in low-income areas. Patenting or trademarking a greentech invention can be expensive and, in some cases, may require legal expertise that adds additional costs. This financial barrier discourages young innovators and small-scale entrepreneurs from protecting their inventions, stalling the commercialisation of locally developed greentech. For instance, a youth-led company developing solar-powered cold storage units for farmers may abandon the IP registration process due to high costs, exposing their invention to potential duplication. The high cost of IP registration limits job creation by reducing the amount of locally developed greentech in the market, as fewer innovators can afford to protect and scale their products. Streamlining IP registration processes and lowering associated costs could therefore enable more young Africans to secure and commercialise their greentech innovations, leading to job growth in the production, distribution and maintenance of these technologies.

Opportunities for policy actions: creating a favourable IPR regime for scaling greentech

Intellectual property rights (IPR) offer significant opportunities for accelerating greentech transfer within Africa and beyond, facilitating both domestic and international collaborations that can drive inclusive, sustainable job creation. With the growing urgency of the climate crisis and a rapidly expanding youth population, African countries must leverage IPR as a strategic tool to foster green innovation, promote environmentally responsible economic growth and position themselves in the global green economy. To fully realise this potential, a comprehensive approach is required – one that fosters domestic innovation, attracts international investment, strengthens IPR ecosystems, promotes inclusivity and is grounded in data-driven decision-making.

Domestic technology transfer and job creation

A well-structured IPR framework plays a pivotal role in stimulating local innovation by offering legal protections and market incentives for inventors. This empowers African entrepreneurs to develop context-relevant greentech – such as solar-powered water heaters, energy-efficient stoves or drought-resilient crops – with the assurance that their IP will be protected. Strengthening collaborations among universities, research institutions, startups and local businesses further supports knowledge sharing, leading to job creation in R&D, production and distribution.

Scaling greentech across regions is also critical. For example, Kenya’s solar-powered irrigation systems, developed through IPR-backed innovation, are being deployed in arid and semi-arid regions, boosting agricultural productivity and creating jobs in installation and maintenance. To facilitate such cross-border diffusion, regional harmonisation of IPR laws – through mechanisms like ARIPO and OAPI – can reduce legal fragmentation and promote cooperation in high-impact sectors such as renewable energy and sustainable construction.

International technology transfer and green entrepreneurship

A responsive and transparent IPR regime is key to attracting foreign investment and advanced technologies to African markets. Secure IP protections give global companies confidence to licence their technologies, engage in joint ventures or establish greentech hubs with local firms. For instance, international collaborations in solar and wind energy infrastructure have already created skilled employment in countries like South Africa and Morocco. Licencing agreements also allow African firms to locally manufacture and distribute green innovations – such as water purification systems or solar batteries – spurring job creation in assembly, quality control and logistics.

As African firms gain expertise, there is also potential to export regionally adapted greentech – such as biofertilisers or clean cookstoves – thus entering global value chains. Facilitating joint research programmes and knowledge exchange with international partners builds the local technical capacity needed to sustain green growth. These partnerships are crucial for developing entrepreneurship in emerging areas like urban climate resilience, bioenergy and circular economy solutions, especially among youth.

Building a supportive IPR ecosystem

To maximise the benefits of domestic and international greentech transfer, African countries must strengthen their IPR ecosystems. This includes:

• Flexible licensing models: Introducing mechanisms such as patent pools, open innovation frameworks and compulsory licensing can lower adoption costs and encourage partnerships, enabling wider access to greentech and promoting local job creation.

  
  

• Capacity building at IP registries: Many African IP offices suffer from weak infrastructure, understaffing and outdated systems. Investments in digital platforms, skilled personnel and streamlined procedures are vital for efficient IP registration and enforcement. Strengthening registries also boosts investor confidence, supports commercialisation and facilitates regional technology sharing.

  
  

• Incentives for green IP development: Governments can implement targeted incentives – such as tax breaks for green patents, subsidies for IP filings and fast-tracked green patent processing – to stimulate innovation in high-impact areas like energy, agriculture and water management.

  
  

Data-driven decision-making and strategic planning

To fully harness the potential of Africa’s green jobs market, governments and stakeholders must adopt a data-driven approach. Mapping priority sectors, identifying in-demand skills, evaluating existing interventions and tracking labour market gaps are essential for aligning IPR, education and industrial policy. This data will guide public and private investment, enabling more coordinated and targeted efforts to grow green employment and innovation.

Greentech repositories and marketplaces

Greentech and IPR repositories and marketplaces are transformative tools for facilitating the commercialisation and diffusion of green innovations. Repositories provide a centralised database for cataloguing green IP – ranging from sustainable building materials to clean energy devices – while marketplaces connect innovators with investors, licensees and adopters through IP transactions. These platforms are especially critical in sectors such as renewable energy, waste management and climate-smart agriculture, where technology transfer is essential for job creation and localised impact.

Ensuring inclusion: gender equity and community access

A successful green IPR agenda must be inclusive. Women and marginalised communities often face systemic barriers to participating in innovation and accessing green jobs. Targeted training, access to finance and visibility in green IP repositories can help unlock their contributions. Platforms that highlight women-led innovations and facilitate IP registration for grassroots technologies – such as community-based solar cookers or Indigenous soil regeneration practices – can drive inclusive growth. Integrating gender equity into IPR and greentech strategies ensures that the benefits of the green transition are broadly shared, both socially and economically.

Conclusion

With extensive renewable energy resources, fertile land and critical minerals essential for clean technologies, Africa is uniquely positioned to drive green innovation and capture a significant share of the global green jobs market. 

By implementing robust policy measures and strengthening IPR frameworks, African nations can unlock the transformative potential of greentech to drive sustainable development and create millions of jobs. Establishing a comprehensive IPR ecosystem is a strategic priority that will attract local and foreign investment, facilitating the commercialisation of greentech across sectors such as renewable energy, water management and sustainable agriculture. This integration of IPR in greentech transfer – both domestically and internationally – will expand access to green innovations, support Africa’s climate resilience and generate meaningful employment for its rapidly growing youth population. Immediate action is essential to empower Africa to secure its leadership in the global green economy and build a sustainable future.

Endnotes

[1]Greentech, such as renewable energy solutions, is designed to reduce waste and pollution. These technologies are part of broader systems that include knowledge, processes and organisational practices.

[2]Technology transfer, defined as the exchange of skills, equipment and processes, is vital to Africa’s green growth. It takes place primarily through trade. Access to new tools enables companies and consumers to adopt greener production and consumption methods. For example, importing greentech saves costs, fosters local innovation and provides companies with direct access to foreign knowledge, allowing them to leapfrog stages of development that rely on independent research.

[3]A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place.

[4]The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) serves the world’s innovators and creators, ensuring that their ideas travel safely to the market and improve lives everywhere.

[5]Industrial design constitutes the ornamental aspect of an article. An industrial design may consist of three-dimensional features, such as the shape of an article, or two-dimensional features, such as patterns, lines or colour.

About the author

Blaise Bayuo

Blaise Bayuo is a tech and public policy researcher with a background spanning development planning, software development, entrepreneurship, digital innovations, and ecosystem development. He has experience in various multi-sectoral policy research works that address the intersection of technology and innovation for sustainable green economic transformation.

This paper was produced in the context of the Green Technology for Green Growth: Barriers and Drivers Project (2023 - November 2025) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the Foundation, its staff, or its Board of Directors.

Source: https://afripoli.org/ideas-to-jobs-harnessing-intellectual-property-rights-to-scale-local-sme-innovation