Abstract

This article examines the relationship between intellectual property (IP) and green innovation in Egypt, a nexus that remains underexplored in African IP scholarship despite its relevance for a sustainable transition. The study aimed to evaluate the extent to which the current IP system can incentivise the development and diffusion of green technologies in Egypt. Drawing on policy analysis, an expert interview and a biotechnology case study, it assesses how IP structures shape the scaling of clean technology ventures. The findings indicate that weak enforcement, institutional fragmentation and the absence of targeted green patent mechanisms limit the incentive function of IP for environmentally beneficial innovation. The analysis also shows that complementary IP tools, such as utility models and trademarks, can support technology diffusion in resource-constrained contexts. The study concludes that context-appropriate IP reform, integrated with broader innovation and financing strategies, is essential for enabling Egypt’s sustainable transition and offers lessons for other African jurisdictions.