Equipping Patent Professionals in Africa

December 19, 2023

A famous African Proverb which goes “if you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together”, best describes the week African patent professionals spent together in Harare, in a workshop to sharpen their drafting skills. The workshop, the first phase of the Patent Drafting Training Program for the ARIPO Member States and Observer States, had a simple objective to equip patent professionals in the region with the necessary drafting skills to support their local innovation ecosystems. Organized by WIPO and ARIPO, and with financial support from the Funds-In-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global, the workshop was held at ARIPO Headquarters in Harare from September 11 to 15, 2023.

The lack of expertise in the region is a contributing factor to the lower numbers of patents granted in Africa when compared to other regions. Less than 1 percent of the global patent applications are filled in Africa, according to WIPO’s World Intellectual Property Indicators. This Program aims to increase the participation of African innovators in the patent system, with the training targeting different players in the innovation ecosystem. Participants were selected from technology transfer offices, research institutions and patent offices. They came from 21 countries – Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cape Verde, Eswatini, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tanzania, The Gambia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe – a total of 26 participants.

Photo of Mr. Masaharu Kizu guiding participants through an exercise. (Image: Charlene Musiza)

A practical focus

The Patent Drafting Training Program is a result of the cooperation between WIPO and ARIPO. This was the fourth edition, led by seasoned patent attorneys from Japan, United States and South Africa, to give an international perspective. The Workshop took a holistic approach to drafting, from legal requirements to fine tuning claims to build commercially valuable patent applications. The Workshop explored optimizing claims for different technical fields, supporting participants who cultivate inventions in engineering, chemistry, materials science, and biotechnology.

Patent drafting is no simple task. You need to grasp both law and technology. The best patent drafters are communicators as well, expressing the invention in clear and concise terms. To build these skills, the Workshop used everyday objects as examples from strainers to sporks. Each day of the Workshop began with an interactive session on the basics of patent drafting and then the practical exercise to challenge the participants. Ultimately, the Workshop focused on building strong foundational knowledge on what constitutes a good patent claim.

Participants especially found the practical exercises engaging, according to Ms. Linda Amanya, Technology Transfer Officer at the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology “the most useful component for me were the practical drafting sessions.”

Photo of Mr. Robert Sayre guiding participants through an exercise. (Image: Allison Mages)

Learning by doing

In the words of John Maxwell, “teamwork makes the dream work.” Participants worked in small groups on the practical drafting exercises. They took apart stapler removers and looked at it with fresh eyes describing it in technical terms. After each exercise they presented their work for feedback from the instructors and from their peers. Ms. Otlhapile Dinakenyane, Acting Director Technology Transfer at Botswana International University of Science and Technology stated, “I learnt so much through the discussions on the exercises and feedback we received from both the instructors and other participants.” The collaborative environment allowed for the valuable exchange of insights and constructive criticism that enabled the participants to improve their knowledge and skills.

Photo of Ms. Amanya, Mr Nkwor and Mr. Yego working on the practical exercises. (Image: Allison Mages)

The instructors impressed on the participants that a well drafted patent should not only protect an invention but also enable others skilled in the field to understand how it works. Mr. Benson Baituru, Patent Examiner at the Kenya Industrial Property Institute, took it heart, “the claim construction was the most useful aspect of the Workshop as it will enable me to properly construe claims as I examine”. These skills will improve communication between patent applicants and examiners in the region and ultimately improve the quality of the assets that emerge.

On the final day of the Workshop, participants studied case studies were patents led to technology transfer. This solidified how their studies throughout the week can be applied when they get back home. “The IP and Technology transfer case study examples shared were very useful in my day-to-day activities. It is important to encourage academia and research institutions to protect their innovation so that they can make proper technology transfer, attract funding, and engage in collaborations” said Mr. Erasto Shemu Mlyuka, Technology Management and Transfer Manager at The Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology.

Photo of Ms. Anna Tomlinson guiding participants through an exercise. (Image: Charlene Musiza)

A learning journey

The Patent Drafting Workshop proved instrumental in empowering patent professionals with essential knowledge and skills. The training continued with an online mentoring session over six weeks. During this period, the participants worked individually on drafting exercises and received feedback from the instructors. This hands-on component further cements the knowledge and skills participants acquired during the Workshop. At the end of each exercise, a group feedback session led by instructors provided further guidance on the exercise and drafting tips.

For many participants this is a first step on a longer journey towards building their innovation ecosystems. WIPO’s patent drafting programs build the skills needed to transform ideas into commercial assets. This is critical to reaching the potential the African innovation can bring to contribute to local economies and improve lives. If this Program is any indication, the future is bright.

Want to learn more about WIPO’s patent drafting programs?

WIPO offers two types of training programs: Patent Drafting Workshops in Member States (at national and regional levels) and the WIPO International Patent Drafting Training Program. Find out more.