Governments
Make invention a national priority and remove the barriers inventors face.
- Bring: fee reductions, procurement pilots, policy support
- Gain: local jobs, new firms, tax base and a stronger patent office
Partners
A continent of creators needs everyone.
Governments, civil society, universities, companies, the diaspora and every woman and man: here is how each of you can carry inventors forward.
Sheet 1 of 4 · A continent of creatorsPTN-2026-001
Inventors cannot do it alone.
With governments, civil society and every woman and man behind them, and strong support networks around them, the developing world can play a leading role in invention.
We are a nation of creators. Every partner turns that into results.
Africa Inventions works through institutions that already exist: patent offices, universities, hubs, companies, community groups and media. Each brings what it does best, and each sees its results published every year.
Sheet 2 of 4 · Partner rolesPTN-2026-002
Find your place.
Patent offices
Help inventors file correctly the first time and at lower cost.
- Bring: training, fast-track or reduced fees, referrals
- Gain: better-prepared applications and more local filings
Universities and hubs
Become a Invention Hub for intake days, prototyping and the national Prize round.
- Bring: space, labs, mentors and students
- Gain: visibility, research partnerships and spin-offs
Civil society
Reach inventors that no website can reach: rural youth, women, people with disabilities.
- Bring: community trust, outreach and radio partners
- Gain: a free route to market for the people you serve
Companies
Take the First Buyer pledge: pilot one member invention a year.
- Bring: pilots, engineering support and supply chains
- Gain: new products, suppliers and licences
Diaspora
Mentor, invest and open doors in the countries where you now live.
- Bring: expertise, networks and capital
- Gain: a direct way to build the regions you come from
Media and creators
Tell inventors' stories and help Crown the Creators reach every home.
- Bring: airtime, channels and storytelling
- Gain: original stories and new audiences
Foundations and development finance
Seed Patent Fee Funds, sponsor Prize categories and fund new chapters.
- Bring: grants and blended finance
- Gain: measurable impact, published every year
Sheet 3 of 4 · The partner pledgePTN-2026-003
What we promise every partner.
Inventors first
No partner can take ownership of an invention as a condition of support.
No hidden terms
Every agreement, fee and success share is disclosed in writing.
Published results
Partners see the results of their contribution in our annual report.
Shared credit
Partners are named, with their consent, in every chapter they help open.
Sheet 4 of 4 · Start a conversationPTN-2026-004
Partner in Africa, or help open a new chapter.
Coordinating office
5150 E Pacific Coast Hwy, 2nd Floor, Long Beach, CA 90804, USA (by appointment)
Telephone
+1 510-902-8741
Mail
6285 E Spring St, #516, Long Beach, CA 90808, USA
Open a chapter in your region.
Where every invention begins
Every invention began with a question.
How do we solve a problem that keeps coming back in our lives or in our communities? How do we improve a solution that exists but still falls short? Most of history's great inventions started there.
- 01Ask
What problem could you solve today? Which existing invention or solution could you make better, cheaper, safer or easier to use?
- 02Write it down
Put the problem and your idea on paper, with a sketch if you can. Date it and keep it. A written idea can be tested, improved and protected.
- 03Contact us
When you think you have the solution, or even part of it, submit it. We will help you with the rest.
Questions to start your notebook
- What wastes time, money or energy in your home, farm, school or business every week?
- What tool or service almost works, but fails the people who need it most?
- What problem do people around you simply accept because no one has fixed it?
Our responsibility
No one will build our future for us.
No one else will solve our problems, transform our raw materials, or invent and create in our place. It is time to stop waiting for others and to take action today.
- Solve a problem.
- Propose a solution.
- Build what comes next.
Every problem we solve brings us closer to well-being and a better future for the generations that follow.