Kenya loses at least Sh 100 billion in revenue each year as a result of counterfeit and related illicit trade in the local market.
Based on the latest Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) study on intellectual property crime, the country was losing billions, a figure that economists fear could be higher and increasing each year.
A statement issued today by the authority, the National Baseline Survey conducted between October 2019 and February 2020 paints a concerning picture of the extent of counterfeiting and other forms of illicit trade in Kenya.
The report says the scope of the survey included counterfeiting, piracy, substandard goods, uncustomed goods, restricted goods, and unexercised goods as some of the major avenues the country lost revenue.
As per the World Economic Forum estimates, neighboring countries Uganda and Tanzania were the most affected by revenue leakages, with annual losses of $1.8 billion (Sh195.8 billion) and $1.6 billion (Sh174.1 billion), respectively.
Organizations march against illicit trade on previous World Anti-Counterfeit Day, and as the world marks this year’s World Anti-Counterfeit Day on June 8th 2023, ACA has organized its first international symposium on IP protection and enforcement to be held on the 13th – 15th of June 2023 at BOMAS of Kenya.
This symposium’s theme is “Addressing IPR infringement and related forms of illicit trade enforcement to spur a digital economy.” The symposium aims to bring together policymakers, judicial officers, law enforcement officers, leading academic scientists, and others.
The day brings together national and international intellectual property organizations to raise public awareness about the negative impact of counterfeit and pirated goods on consumer health and safety.
After the Authority launched the IPR Recordation system for imports into the country earlier this year, the symposium is expected to take stock of global innovative practices for intellectual property protection.
The system entails the creation of a database containing information about trademarks, copyrights, trade names, and other protected intellectual property rights for all goods to be sold.
Imported into Kenya and hailed as one of the most effective international best practices for preventing the importation of counterfeit goods.
The Global Anti-Counterfeiting Group (GACG) – an international network of national and regional IPR enforcement and protection organizations – organizes the global event.
Kenya, along with Nigeria and Zimbabwe, is the only member of the GACG through the Anti-Counterfeit Authority from East Africa. Counterfeiting and other forms of illicit trade are a global phenomenon that thrives despite numerous legislative and regulatory frameworks implemented by countries worldwide.
The rise in intellectual property infringements and illegal trade in general is attributed to weak legislative and institutional frameworks, as well as a lack of collaborative networks to combat the vices.
