As Kenya seeks to expand its manufacturing base and attract investment, protecting legitimate businesses from counterfeiting is becoming increasingly important to the country's industrial ambitions.

This was among the key issues highlighted during the Kenya Industrialization Summit 2026, which brought together government officials, manufacturers, investors and industry leaders to discuss the future of manufacturing, trade, innovation and sustainable industrial financing.

The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) participated in the summit, represented by Board Chairman Hon. Nelson Ributhi Gaichuhie, CBS; Executive Director Robi M. King’a, PhD; and Director of Enforcement Yusuf Osman.

Counterfeiters are changing their tactics, and enforcement must keep pace.

Speaking at the summit, Robi M. King’a, PhD, drew attention to the growing sophistication of counterfeit trade, particularly the exploitation of digital marketplaces and online transactions.

He noted that counterfeiters are increasingly using product cloning, repackaging and loose cargo consignments to move illicit goods through vulnerable entry points and into legitimate supply chains.

The changing nature of the trade, he explained, demands an equally sophisticated enforcement response, one that uses technology to improve detection, strengthen investigations and enhance accountability.

ACA has responded by integrating digital systems into its enforcement operations. The ACA Management System supports the identification and management of suspected counterfeit goods, particularly at ports of entry, while the Depot Management System enables the tracking and management of seized goods throughout the legal process.

Beyond enforcement, the Authority is working to improve how complainants interact with its services, including strengthening mechanisms that allow them to monitor the progress of reported cases through to resolution.

The Executive Director also announced plans for the destruction of counterfeit goods valued at approximately KSh 100 million in Mombasa, underscoring the scale of illicit trade and the Authority's continued efforts to remove counterfeit products from circulation.

Innovation Needs a Fair Marketplace

Technology was also central to discussions during the plenary session on Driving Industrial Innovation, Technology and Digital Transformation, moderated by ACA's Agnes Karingu, Deputy Director of Education and Public Awareness.

The panel brought together Dr. Esther Thaara Muoria, CBS, Principal Secretary for Technical and Vocational Education and Training; Linus Gitahi, MBS, Managing Director of Tropical Brands; George Makateto, Managing Director of NMC; Hon. Allan Kosgey, Chairperson of the KIPI Board; Michael Talam of KENAS; and Dr. Moses Ollengo of Dedan Kimathi University.

Discussions explored the role of technology, skills development, institutional collaboration and innovation in strengthening Kenya's industrial competitiveness.

For ACA, the conversation extended beyond technological advancement to the conditions necessary for innovation to thrive.

King’a emphasised that fair competition is fundamental to industrial development. When counterfeit products compete with genuine goods, legitimate manufacturers face unfair market pressures that can undermine investment, weaken consumer confidence and discourage innovation.

Protecting intellectual property rights and addressing unfair competition therefore go beyond enforcement. They are essential to creating a marketplace where businesses can invest in research, develop new products and compete on the strength of quality and innovation.

As Kenya pursues its industrial transformation agenda, the challenge is not simply to increase production but to ensure that legitimate enterprises can grow in a market that rewards originality, protects consumers and encourages investment.

For ACA, technology-driven enforcement, stronger partnerships and fair competition remain central to achieving that goal.