Nairobi, Kenya, 29th April 2026 — The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) has formally signed the Framework for Joint Recognition of Authorised Economic Operators (AEO), reaffirming its commitment to facilitating legitimate trade while strengthening safeguards against counterfeit goods entering the Kenyan market.

The signing took place during a meeting held at ACA Headquarters in Nairobi between ACA and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) AEO team. The ACA delegation was led by the Executive Director, Dr. Robi M. King’a, and included Mr. Lindsay Kipkemoi, Deputy Director Enforcement, Ms. Jully Omollo, Ag. Deputy Director Legal Services, and Mr. Caspar Oluoch, Head of Recordation. The KRA AEO team was led by Ms. Maureen Wanginda.

The framework, spearheaded by KRA through its AEO Secretariat, seeks to promote a coordinated approach among regulatory agencies in the recognition and facilitation of compliant traders. It is expected to reduce duplication, improve predictability in cargo clearance, enhance information sharing and strengthen risk-based interventions across Partner Government Agencies.

Speaking during the meeting, Dr. King’a affirmed ACA’s full support for the programme, noting that the framework provides an important platform for agencies to facilitate compliant importers while maintaining strong enforcement against counterfeits.

“As ACA, we are fully on board and ready to work with KRA and other participating agencies to facilitate legitimate trade while protecting consumers, intellectual property rights holders and the economy from counterfeit goods,” said Dr. King’a.

He noted that the framework aligns closely with ACA’s Intellectual Property Rights Recordation Programme, which supports import monitoring and enables the Authority to identify and act against suspected counterfeit goods at points of entry. He further assured the KRA AEO team that ACA will honour its commitments under the framework, including swift processing of AEO cargo, conditional release and destination verifications, exemptions for importers who have recorded their brands under the ACA IPR Recordation Programme, and intelligence-led inspections.

KRA, through Ms. Wanginda, outlined the expected operational benefits, including express approvals through the Integrated Customs Management System, reduced verification timelines, improved coordination among agencies and enhanced use of intelligence-led inspections. She noted that the framework is expected to become fully operational in the next financial year, following ongoing capacity building and stakeholder sensitisation supported through collaboration with the World Customs Organization.

Dr. King’a officially signed the Joint AEO Recognition Framework, thereby committing ACA as a key regulatory institution in the programme. The signing marks an important step in strengthening inter-agency collaboration, improving Kenya’s trading environment and ensuring that trade facilitation is supported by effective enforcement against illicit and counterfeit goods.

ACA reaffirmed its commitment to continued collaboration with KRA and other government agencies in promoting secure, efficient and compliant trade for the benefit of businesses, consumers and the national economy.