Kenya Patent Applications
Patent applications by residents IP.PAT.RESD
Kenya's patent applications was 160 in 2021, ranked 56th globally. This represents a 53.1% decrease from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 1988–2021.
Overview
Kenya's patent applications stood at 160 in 2021, a decline of +181 from 2020. Kenya ranked 56th globally.
Kenya’s patent‑application activity has risen sharply from a single filing in 1988 to 160.00 applications in 2021, placing the country 56th globally and situating it between peers such as Bulgaria (165.00) and the Slovak Republic (146.00). The upward trajectory accelerated after the 1990s, culminating in an all‑time peak of 341.00 applications in 2020, before a modest decline to the 2021 level. Over the 27‑year coverage period, the increase reflects expanding research capacity, growing private‑sector investment in innovation and supportive policy reforms aimed at strengthening intellectual‑property rights. Nevertheless, the post‑peak dip suggests that sustaining the high volume of filings will depend on continued funding for R&D, improvements in university‑industry linkages and the effectiveness of patent‑office procedures. If Kenya can deepen its innovation ecosystem and address bottlenecks in commercialization, the upward trend in patent applications is likely to resume and potentially surpass the 2020 peak.
Data & projection
| Year | Patent Applications | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 160 | −181 | #56 |
| 2020 | 341 | +47 | #54 |
| 2019 | 294 | +50 | #55 |
| 2018 | 244 | +109 | #58 |
| 2017 | 135 | −9 | #66 |
| 2016 | 144 | +7 | #61 |
| 2015 | 137 | +5 | #61 |
| 2014 | 132 | +5 | #60 |
| 2013 | 127 | +4 | #62 |
| 2012 | 123 | −12 | #59 |
| 2011 | 135 | +58 | #64 |
| 2010 | 77 | +29 | #72 |
| 2009 | 48 | −15 | #74 |
| 2008 | 63 | +22 | #68 |
| 2007 | 41 | +0 | #74 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Kenya matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2008. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw patent applications improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Kenya's patent applications was 160 in 2021. Ranked 56th globally. This represents a 53.1% decrease from the previous year.
Kenya's patent applications peaked at 341 in 2020.
The lowest patent applications in Kenya was 1 in 1988.
Kenya ranks 56th globally in patent applications as of 2021.
The World Bank indicator code is IP.PAT.RESD. Data sourced from World Bank.
The patent applications of Kenya in 2021 was 160. This ranks 56th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_kenya_patents,
title = {Kenya Patent Applications},
url = {https://historysaid.com/kenya/patents/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}