Today, the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) welcomed a delegation from the Fair Competition Commission (FCC) of Tanzania for a benchmarking visit focused on ACA's Recordation program particularly targeting deter entry of counterfeit imports in to the Tanzanian market.

The FCC delegation, led by ICT Manager Mr. Hatibu Idrissa, underscored the importance of the visit as an opportunity to understand Kenya’s experience with the IPR recordation process. “We are looking at learning from our Kenyan counterparts right from inception including the legal overhauls, to automation and the system maintenance and addressing challenges” said Mr, Idriss. He said the team looked forward to gaining valuable insights that will inform the implementation of similar initiatives in their country.

Receiving the delegation on behalf of ACA Executive Director Dr. Robi Mbugua Njoroge, ACA Director of Corporate Services Rephah Kitavi said Recordation program had empowered ACA to effectively track and flag counterfeit goods. She also extended her best wishes for a productive and insightful exchange.

This visit comes at a time when cross-border trade between Kenya and Tanzania is flourishing, with trade volumes reaching over USD 1 billion in 2023. However, the rise in trade has also been accompanied by an increase in counterfeit goods moving across borders, posing significant risks to consumer safety and market integrity. By collaborating and sharing best practices, ACA and FCC aim to strengthen their efforts in combating counterfeiting, ultimately contributing to safer and more reliable markets in both countries.

The partnership between ACA Kenya and FCC Tanzania symbolizes a unified front in the fight against counterfeit goods, enhancing the integrity of cross-border trade and contributing to safer, more reliable markets in the region. As ACA continues to explore innovative technologies to counteract counterfeiting, this collaboration marks a significant milestone in ensuring that both countries can effectively protect their markets from the dangers of counterfeit products.