The Anti-Counterfeit Authority launched its 3^rd strategic plan for the period between 2022/2023 to 2026/2026 at the Weston hotel in Nairobi. The new plan is a revamped strategy to promote and protect Intellectual Property rights and seeks to address key constraints in the war against counterfeits and illicit trade experienced in the last ten years.

Speaking at the event, the Chief guest, Principal Secretary of State Department of Industry Dr. Juma Mukhwana said the government was keen to ensure protection of intellectual property rights and eradication of counterfeit and illicit trade. He said IP infringement needed to be tackled coherently as a strategic economic enabler for the country since trade in counterfeits undermines fair trade, industry and development agenda of the government.

Dr. Juma called for enhanced multi-agency collaboration and synergy between government enforcement agencies and the private sector. “We will support the ACA's coordinating role to spur multi-sectoral collaboration in the war against counterfeiting and illicit trade”. He added.

He said the government was committed to developing a National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy to increase public awareness about IPR and to stimulate growth of IPR for social-economic and cultural development of the country.

Accompanying the Chief Guest, Principal Secretary, State Department of Investment Mr. Abubakar Hassan said the fight against counterfeit and illicit trade was at the heart of the government’s manufacturing and investment strategy. He said the ministry had put initiatives aimed at growing and protect local investment and manufacturing. “We will continue to work closely with ACA in promoting investments among traders and manufacturers to ensure we continue to drive economic growth for our nation” Said Mr. Abubakar.

The ACA Board Chairman, Hon. Josephat Kabeabea, said the Authority will continue to support the national action plan to combat illicit trade which has been guiding the multi-agency teams on enforcement and public outreach. He said the strategic plan transitions Authority from being regulators to enablers and facilitators of business, based on the Kenya Kwanza government's resolve. “We have a strategic focus to leverage technology to combat counterfeiting and to improve service delivery to the public”. He said.

The ACA ’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Robi Mbugua Njoroge thanked stakeholders for their unwavering support saying the new strategic plan was aligned with key government policy instruments such as Vision 2030 and the Fourth Medium Term Plan (MTP IV), the "Kenya Kwanza" government development agenda, Africa's Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Dr. Mbugua said the Authority was offering a new strategic direction whose work will be organized under four (4) strategic priorities (or key result areas) of Enhancing strategic repositioning, re-engineering and delivering effective enforcement of intellectual property rights, fostering data driven planning, research and policy and; Enhancing institutional capacity and sustainability.

“This strategy sets a clear vision with the resources needed, it emphasis on building strong partnership in the next five years”. He said.

Click to download the Strategic Plan (PDF 5.12MB)