The organizations resolve to enhance their collaboration through structured engagement and working more closely towards combating trade in counterfeit goods.

Nairobi, October 25, 2022.

Today the ACA Executive Director Dr. Robi Mbugua Njoroge paid a courtesy call to the President of Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr. Richard Ngatia at his office in Nairobi. Attendees included senior members of ACA Management, the Chief Operating Officer Mr. Patrick Nyangweso and committee members of the Chamber.

Dr. Mbugua underscored the need for a collaborative approach in combating counterfeiting saying the authority was looping in all stakeholders in the public and private sector. “The government cannot win this war alone. It requires a concerted effort by all players including government agencies, private sector organizations and their members, consumers and development partners working closely together in a multi-sectoral approach.”

The Chamber President Mr. Ngatia applauded government efforts in tackling counterfeiting and illicit trade saying it posed great challenge to upcoming innovators and SME’s since they were vulnerable to unfair market competition.

Mr. Ngatia said the chamber members who are mostly drawn from Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), were open to work and collaborate with government agencies. “The Chamber and business are proud to continue its alliance with law enforcement to prioritize solutions to eliminate counterfeit and illicit trade. We urge the government to provide favorable commercial, trade and investment environment that supports enterprise expansion”.

ACA Executive Director in response assured chamber the members saying, “The protection of intellectual property is at the core of ACA’s vision, mission and mandate. We look forward to greater results through the enhanced partnership with the chamber and its members.”

Intellectual property rights protection is globally recognized as a key economic development enabler known to spur innovation, creativity and technology development. Protection of IP enables and incentivizes local and foreign direct investment and global trade. The slightest sense that IPR protection is insecure can jeopardize investor and private sector confidence to invest in a country.

To that end, the two organizations resolved to enhance their collaboration in IP protection through member targeted campaigns, training and capacity building, research, enforcement and in legal and regulatory reforms.

In addition, KNNCI agreed to include the Anti-Counterfeit Authority in the Chambers Intellectual Property Committee and to co-organize nation-wide training forums on IPR recordation and Import declaration. “We will co-opt ACA in the IP Chamber committee and work with you in training members to ensure they comply to avoid penalties as a result of non-compliance.” Mr. Nyangweso said.