EU beats the US in African patent filings

During the period March 2025 to January 2026, European applicants have consistently filed more patents in South Africa than US patent applicants. 30% more.

As expected, Chinese applicants file the most South African patents – nearly twice the number of patents filed by US applicants.

The US has lost its position as the top filer of African patents, whereas China is becoming well entrenched as the top filer of patents in Africa.