Nairobi, June 6, 2025 – Kenya marked World Anti-Counterfeit Day 2025 with a high-level forum held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi, led by the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Mr. Daren Tang. His attendance marked the first time a WIPO chief has graced the event in Kenya, underscoring international recognition of the country’s growing role in intellectual property (IP) enforcement.

In his remarks, Mr. Tang praised Kenya’s ongoing reforms in intellectual property protection. “Kenya’s commitment is a beacon of innovation protection on the African continent,” he said, noting that the country’s integrated efforts have elevated its global standing in the fight against counterfeit goods.

During the event, the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) unveiled two new research reports conducted in partnership with KCA University and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers. The findings reveal that Kenya loses over KES 153 billion annually to counterfeit trade, with the most affected sectors being health, agriculture, electronics, and automotive products.

Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Hon. Lee Kinyanjui, through a speech read by Director of Industries Mr. Joseph Mbeva, described counterfeiting as “a silent saboteur of Kenya’s development goals,” and urged greater coordination across agencies. “We cannot industrialize on a foundation of fakes. Counterfeit trade undermines manufacturing, endangers public safety, and drains national revenue,” he said, reinforcing the government’s support for enforcement and institutional reform.

ACA Executive Director, Dr. Robi Mbugua Njoroge, said the new research reflects the broader risks posed by counterfeit goods to both consumers and the economy. “Over 70 percent of Kenyans have unknowingly bought counterfeit goods, and nearly 60 percent have been harmed by them. This isn’t just an economic issue—it’s a safety and trust issue,” he said. He added that despite the widespread impact, 94 percent of consumers do not report such cases, often due to limited awareness or lack of confidence in enforcement mechanisms.

The findings further show that affordability and ease of access are key drivers of counterfeit purchases. “Our survey found that 42 percent of consumers knowingly buy fakes because they’re cheaper, and a third do so because they’re easier to access,” Dr. Njoroge explained. “We must respond by making authentic goods more affordable, and by expanding access to product verification tools”.

He also pointed to the growing challenge of digital counterfeit trade. “More than 31 percent of counterfeit transactions are now happening online—from social media storefronts to messaging apps,” said Dr. Njoroge. “This demands new enforcement approaches, digital surveillance, and stronger collaboration with e-commerce regulators”.

ACA Board Chair Hon. Josphat Kabeabea, in a speech read by Board Member Hon. Neddy Jeruto Kiptoo, reflected on ACA’s progress as it marks its 15th anniversary. “We have grown from 42 staff in 2010 to a national team operating six regional offices and active at major border points. We’ve seized over KES 4.9 billion worth of counterfeits and built strong inter-agency partnerships,” he said. He reiterated the Board’s full support for the transition into the Kenya Intellectual Property Organisation (KIPO), which will consolidate ACA, the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI), and the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) into a unified institution.

The launch also marked ACA’s 15-year milestone and set the stage for the upcoming validation of the National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS 2023–2027). These reforms are expected to streamline Kenya’s IP registration, enforcement, and commercialization frameworks under one roof, positioning the country as a model for integrated IP governance in the region.

For additional details, survey reports, and updates, visit www.aca.go.ke or follow @ACAKenya on social media.

Media inquiries: Tom Muteti, Head of Corporate Communication – +254 708 223 384 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.