The World Intellectual Property Organization has ranked Kenya the second leading innovation hub in Sub-Saharan Africa after South Africa in its latest Global Innovation Index (GII) 2019 report. Mauritius was ranked third.
Every year, the Global Innovation Index ranks the innovation performance of nearly
130 economies around the world.
According to the report:
“Kenya has a track record for recording high levels of innovation, outperforming on levels of innovation relative to GDP for the ninth consecutive year, an excellent record at per with other lower-middle-income countries like India, the Republic of Moldova, and Vietnam.”
The report has attributed Kenya’s innovative strength to access to credit and microfinance gross loans.
The report notes:
“As in previous years, Africa shines in terms of innovation relative to level of development. Out of the 18 innovation achievers identified in the GII 2019, six (the most from any one region) are from the Sub-Saharan African region. Importantly, Kenya, Rwanda, Mozambique, Malawi, and Madagascar stand out for being innovation achievers at least three times in the previous eight years.”
The report also notes that on a regional level, continuous innovation performance
improvements are primarily happening in Asia.
Globally, Switzerland continues to be the leading innovation hub in 2019 followed by Sweden and U.S. respectively. South Africa was ranked 63rd, Kenya at 77, and Mauritius at number 82 globally.
About WIPO
WIPO is the global forum for intellectual property (IP) services, policy, information and cooperation. WIPO is a self-funding agency of the United Nations, with 192 member states.
WIPO’s mission is to lead the development of a balanced and effective international IP system that enables innovation and creativity for the benefit of all. The forum was established in 1967.
