NAIROBI, Kenya – The fight against counterfeit products has received a shot in the arm after the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) partnered with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and with the support of the Japan Patent Office
(JPO) to slay the voice.
This came during the official opening of the Sub-Regional Seminar on Intellectual Property (IP) Enforcement between ACA, WIPO and JPO.
Who is attending the African Anti-Counterfeit event in Nairobi
The three-day seminar which is being held in Nairobi, has brought together law enforcement officials, prosecutors, customs officers, and IP administrators from Ghana, Uganda, Nigeria, Ethiopia,
Zimbabwe, and Kenya.
It is aimed at strengthening regional capacity and coordination in the enforcement of intellectual property rights.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Dr. Robi M. King’a, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority, welcomed participants and emphasised the need for sustained regional cooperation in the fight against counterfeiting and illicit trade.
“The fight against counterfeiting transcends borders. No single agency or country can win this battle alone,” said Dr. King’a.
How Kenya is fighting fake products
In his own words, Dr. King’s said:
“Kenya’s enforcement model, anchored in the Anti-Counterfeit Act and a robust multi-agency framework for enforcement and creation of public awareness against trade in counterfeits.
These efforts reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding innovation, protecting consumers, and securing fair markets across Africa.”
At the same time, Edward Kwakwa, Assistant Director General, Global Challenges and Partnerships Sector at
WIPO, who joined the event virtually, commended Kenya and ACA for hosting the regional seminar and reaffirmed WIPO’s commitment to strengthening IP enforcement capacity across
Africa.
“Effective IP enforcement is vital for fair markets, consumer protection, and rewarding innovation,” said Kwakwa.
ACA established under the Anti-Counterfeit Act No. 13 of 2008, is Kenya’s lead agency mandated to combat counterfeit trade and enforce intellectual property rights.
He went on to say that: “WIPO remains committed to supporting African governments through capacity building, knowledge sharing, and digital tools to help enforcement officers address new forms of IP crime in the digital economy.”
In his remarks, Matsuura Hiroshi, Ambassador of Japan to Kenya, underscored Japan’s long-standing partnership with WIPO and Kenya in promoting intellectual property protection and enforcement in Africa.
“Japan believes that innovation flourishes where creativity is respected and protected,” said Ambassador Matsuura.
“Our continued support through the Japan Patent Office reflects our belief that strong IP systems drive industrial competitiveness, fair trade, and sustainable economic growth.”
What are the other issues that delegates will engage in
The seminar features presentations from WIPO experts, the World Customs Organization (WCO), and national enforcement bodies on subjects such as border enforcement, online IP crime, evidentiary standards, and inter-agency cooperation.
Operating under the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, ACA collaborates with the national and international partners to promote innovation, fair competition, and consumer safety.
Meanwhile, during the event, participants will also engage in a hands-on product identification and training session led by private sector rights holders and IP practitioners on the final day.
The Sub-Regional Seminar forms part of WIPO’s Building Respect for IP Program, supported by the Japan Patent Office, which aims to enhance the capacity of African enforcement officials to tackle cross-border counterfeiting and piracy, protect innovation, and promote fair trade.
