The Anti-Counterfeit Authority of Kenya (ACA) and Uganda’s Anti-Counterfeit Network (ACN Africa) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together to combat counterfeits in the East African region.
The agreement, which was signed on April 20, 2023, in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, seeks to improve strategic cooperation on issues relevant to the eradication of counterfeit goods in East Africa.
According to estimates from the World Economic Forum, illicit commerce currently costs the global economy $2.2 trillion a year, or over 3% of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP).
A 2018 ACA survey found that the value of the counterfeit trade was close to Kenyan Sh100 billion in revenue, a figure economists suggest could be higher and rising each year. The ACN reported that Uganda loses up to Sh6 trillion annually to counterfeits and substandard products.
ACA Executive Director Dr Robi Mbugua Njoroge on Thursday said “the MoU represents a statement of mutual intentions between our two institutions- focusing on developing and strengthening a robust Intellectual Property (IP) system in the region.”
Dr. Mbugua continued by saying that the ACA is required by Kenyan law to collaborate with local, national, and international organisations on issues related to counterfeiting.
“We look forward to being strategic partners and leading advocates on legislative and regulatory issues addressing Intellectual Property (IP) infringement not in Kenya but in the region,” he noted.
The collaboration between the two countries was applauded by Kawesa Richard, director of strategy for ACN Africa, who stated that “combatting counterfeits in the region demands coordinated leadership and action.”
According to Kawesa, “collaborative leadership would include that each mandate bearer or stakeholder in the IP value chain sees common risks, constraints, and implications and strives to work together to lessen group dangers, grow opportunities, and share best practises.”
“ACA and ACN Africa deeply appreciate the magnitude of the counterfeit challenge at hand and have therefore agreed to cooperate in the areas of research, legal action, technology, and communication for mindset change,” said Fred Muwema, Director Legal at ACN Africa, underscoring the significance of partnerships across the region.