Operations at the Kenya’s Anti-Counterfeit Agency (ACA) will soon be digitalised thanks to a move by the agency, to sign a financing agreement worth $1.5 million with the UK Department for International Development (DFID).

The move is expected to ease the information flow from detection, reporting and destruction of illicit goods in the country.

The funding which according to TradeMark Africa (TMA) statement will be channeled through TMA’s and  will see the regional agency provide technical and project financing support to the agency with the aim to better and efficiently serve their stakeholders nationally, regionally and globally.

This financing agreement comes at a time when there is increased outcry from manufacturers and consumers due to the increased trade in counterfeits in the country.  Counterfeiting adversely affects IPR owners’ investments, government revenue and safety of the public.  With the government’s drive on the big four agenda, ensuring that manufacturers intellectual property rights are respected is a critical success factor for the Manufacturing Agenda.

The digitalisation once implemented will ensure that, ACA inspectors, other law enforcement agencies, IPR owners and the members of the public have at their disposal instruments and tools that will deter counterfeiting, enhance the process of detecting, reporting and impounding counterfeit goods, and ensure a transparent process on how counterfeit goods are destroyed.

In Kenya, the Kenya Association of Manufacturers estimates that 40% of their market share is lost due to counterfeiting with other emerging costs going to policing their intellectual property. Other estimates from the Kenya Association of Manufacturers give the loss as a result of counterfeiting at KSH 50 Billion in a year.

The World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Illicit Trade recently estimated the shadow economy to be worth $650 billion with the latest figures on counterfeiting alone predicting an increase to $1.77 trillion. Up-to-date data and more cross-border information sharing is needed to develop a clearer understanding of illicit trade, the contexts which enable it, and how to combat it more effectively.

ACA has therefore declared war on counterfeit and has hence been working on a digitalization project. The project is twofold: First, it will involve development of ICT-enabled solutions for ease in detection of counterfeits by consumers; ease the process of reporting on counterfeiting by intellectual property rights (IPR) owners. Secondly, it will involve support to research and awareness programs to establish the national public awareness level on counterfeiting and the implementation of a “Training of Trainers (TOT) program on matters of counterfeits.

The Kenya Association of Manufacturers former chairperson Ms Flora Mutahi, who is now the new Chairperson at ACA witnessed by the signing the Anti-Counterfeit Agency alongside TradeMark Africa (TMA) Kenya Country Programme Director, Ahmed Farah and UKAID Head of Sustainable Economic Development, Ian Mills.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Anti-Counterfeit Agency chairperson Mrs Flora Mutai appreciated the support from TradeMark Africa (TMA) towards digitising its operations. She cited the increased challenge posed by counterfeiters who are using modern technology to copy trademarks and industrial designs up to undetectable levels.

“Technology has now moved to the wrong hands. We are witnessing illicit trade crime sophistication due to “IT in wrong hands”. 3D Technology and access to online markets and sources are a click away; 3D Technologies – can copy anything including trademarks, holograms, barcodes etc. copying and passing-off a lot easier and distinct. We will now nab them using Quick Response System among other measures”. Said Ms Mutahi.

According to TMA Kenya Country Programme Director – Ahmed Farah said, the overall aim of this project and intervention is to take the necessary steps to mitigate and eliminate counterfeiting and to subsequently create an attractive and conducive trade environment for businesses to flourish.

“This automation is in line with the East Africa governments’ trade facilitation initiatives that reduce barriers to trade” Said Farah.

Source : Exchange

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of TradeMark Africa.