Patents and clean energy technologies in Africa

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Publication Date: May 2013

This report focuses on the patent landscape for clean energy technologies in Africa, as one area of the developing world which has vast potential clean energy resources, and could greatly benefit from use and technology transfer of clean energy technologies. Less than one per cent of all patent applications relating to Clean Energy Technology (CET) have been filed in Africa, highlighting an opportunity for the continent to leapfrog existing fossil-fuel energy sources and thus cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions and bring major health benefits. 

The report also details how Africa has a huge untapped potential for generating clean energy, including enough hydroelectric power from its seven major river systems to serve the whole of the continent's needs, as well as enormous potential for solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy etc.