Botswana Innovation Hub Sets Up A Technology Transfer Office

In the emerging knowledge economy, a country’s ability to build and mobilise knowledge capital is fostered in part by the legal recognition and protection of the exclusive rights of creations of the mind. The World Bank defines the body of law where governments award exclusive economic rights to artists and inventors in their creations, in order to stimulate technically and socially valuable and innovative contributions to society as Intellectual Property (IP). Intellectual property covers creations of the mind such as inventions, discoveries, literary and artistic works, designs and symbols, names and images used in commerce to encourage the development of creative and artistic endeavours.

The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) which is an agency of the United Nations states that intellectual property rights are like any other property right. They allow creators, or owners, of patents, trademarks or copyrighted works to benefit from their own work or investment in a creation. These rights are outlined in Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which provides for the right to benefit from the protection of moral and material interests resulting from authorship of scientific, literary or artistic productions.

In its recognition of IP, WIPO states that, “the progress and well-being of humanity rests on its capacity to create and invent new works in the areas of technology and culture and that the legal protection of new creations encourages the commitment of additional resources for further innovation while the promotion and protection of intellectual property spurs economic growth, creates new jobs and industries and enhances the quality and enjoyment of life.” 

It is estimated that up to 75% of the value of companies is based on their intellectual property and that, this value can rise up to 100% for small startup companies. The Economist states that intellectual property rights are not only essential for business growth as they help to protect investors and their ideas or business concepts but that they also enhance countries ease of doing business index. The World Bank index measures a country’s regulatory environment to determine if it is conducive to the starting and operation of companies. Higher rankings indicate better, usually simpler, regulations for businesses and stronger protection of property rights.

Following years of impressive economic performance, Botswana is in the throes of diversifying its economy away from diamond mining to a knowledge-based one and Botswana Innovation Hub is one of the major strategic initiatives for diversifying the national economy. In keeping with international best practice, the country has adopted a framework law on patents, copyright and trademarks which enables people to earn recognition or financial benefit from what they invent or create. IP laws aim to foster an environment in which creativity and innovation flourish and working within these laws, Botswana Innovation Hub is building a conducive national innovation ecosystem through a private-public partnership initiative that involves research and development with academic institutions and the public and private sector.

Botswana Innovation Hub has partnered with the Southern Africa Innovation Support (SAiS) programme and the University of Botswana and University of Namibia to established a National Technology Transfer Office (TTO). 

The Technology Transfer Office opened its doors earlier this month following the appointment of the Technology Transfer Officer, Samuel Kopano Gaborone who brings along extensive experience and a wealth of knowledge in the commercialization of technological ideas, products and services. Operating from the First Steps Venture Centre (FSVC) at the River Walk Annex, the office exists to assist Innovators and Inventors in the commercialisation of their technological ideas, products and services. This entails a thorough break-down and interrogation of such in-coming inventions for possible IP protection, assisting with drafting of any IP claims made, identification of existing manufacturing partners, or in their absence, facilitation of creation of Spin-off companies to up-take the research results, assistance with Commercialisation Licensing encompassing Non-Disclosure and benefit sharing clauses, stake-holder management and general dissemination of information on Intellectual Property and Tech Transfer.

Gaborone says, “It is early days in the establishment of the TTO but we envisage that, in the long term, the office will be a National Office servicing the broader research community in Botswana.” He encourages innovators, inventors and technology entrepreneurs to, “come and join us in improving Botswana’s industrial and commercial competitiveness, creating employment, serving society and enhancing the quality of our citizen’s life through commercialisation of scientific, engineering and Indigenous Knowledge-based innovations.” Gaborone says an efficient and equitable intellectual property system can help the country realize its intellectual property’s potential as a catalyst for economic development and social and cultural well-being.