Engagement with EuroCham Kenya opens avenues for closer collaboration on intellectual property protection, regulatory efficiency and a more competitive business environment.*

Strengthening Kenya’s investment climate and protecting legitimate businesses took centre stage as the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) and the European Business Chamber (EuroCham) Kenya explored new avenues for collaboration in promoting fair trade, safeguarding intellectual property rights and addressing challenges affecting the business environment.

The discussions took place during a courtesy meeting hosted by ACA Executive Director Robi King’a, PhD, with a EuroCham delegation led by its Chairman, Othmane Chaoui.

The engagement provided an opportunity for the two institutions to examine issues affecting businesses operating in Kenya and identify areas where stronger cooperation between government agencies and the private sector could enhance investor confidence and support sustainable economic growth.

Among the issues raised by the delegation were energy costs, taxation, immigration processes, import and export procedures, and the effectiveness of existing anti-counterfeit policies. The discussions highlighted the importance of coordinated approaches that balance regulatory requirements with the need for an efficient and predictable business environment.

A key proposal emerging from the meeting was the establishment of a multi-stakeholder platform bringing together government institutions, business chambers and industry players to examine these concerns and develop practical solutions.

EuroCham proposed a dedicated stakeholder workshop that would provide an opportunity for businesses to engage directly with regulatory and enforcement agencies, including ACA, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI).

The proposed forum would also allow ACA to showcase its enforcement tools, interventions and achievements across various economic sectors, while providing businesses with a platform to share experiences, identify emerging challenges and recommend areas for improvement.

The discussions are expected to inform an action-oriented report outlining practical recommendations for strengthening intellectual property protection, improving regulatory coordination and addressing challenges affecting trade and investment.

The Executive Director welcomed the proposed collaboration, underscoring the important role of public-private partnerships in protecting legitimate businesses and maintaining confidence in the marketplace.

He emphasised that effective enforcement against counterfeit trade requires sustained engagement with intellectual property rights holders, whose knowledge of their products, brands and distribution networks is essential in identifying suspected counterfeit goods.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to highlight developments in Kenya's anti-counterfeit enforcement framework, particularly the planned implementation of mandatory recordation of intellectual property rights for imported goods, expected to become operational by the end of November 2026.

The Executive Director encouraged EuroCham members and other intellectual property rights holders to record their products with the Authority, noting that accurate product information would strengthen enforcement efforts and support the identification of genuine goods entering the Kenyan market.

The recordation framework is intended to enhance cooperation between rights holders and enforcement agencies, providing an additional mechanism for preventing counterfeit imports from entering legitimate supply chains.

Beyond enforcement, the discussions reflected the growing importance of collaboration between regulators and the business community in creating a trading environment that supports innovation, protects investment and encourages fair competition.

For ACA, such engagements provide an opportunity to better understand the challenges experienced by businesses while strengthening partnerships that contribute to effective enforcement and consumer protection.

The proposed collaboration with EuroCham Kenya also reinforces the Authority's broader commitment to working with industry stakeholders and government agencies to safeguard intellectual property rights and promote legitimate trade.

As the two institutions explore the next steps, the focus will be on translating dialogue into practical interventions that strengthen enforcement, support businesses and contribute to a more competitive investment environment.

The engagement reaffirmed a shared commitment to building a marketplace where innovation is protected, legitimate enterprises can thrive and consumers can purchase products with confidence.