Kenya Launches ‘Scan to Verify’ Tech to Fight KSh150B Counterfeit Crisis
By Yvonne Jeptarus
Kenya has launched a new digital defense system to combat a multi-billion-shilling counterfeit trade that cripples local businesses and bleeds the national economy every year.
The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) has unveiled a state-of-the-art digital certification mark. Built directly into product packaging, the system allows everyday consumers to instantly verify whether an item is genuine by simply scanning it with a smartphone before buying.
The pilot project is strategically targeting high-risk sectors where fakes pose the greatest danger, including pharmaceuticals, alcohol, cosmetics, food products, and electronics.
According to the ACA, the stakes could not be higher. Counterfeit goods cost Kenya an estimated KSh150 billion annually in lost tax revenues and stolen business opportunities. Beyond the economic wreckage, the proliferation of fake goods poses a severe threat to public health and consumer safety.
Speaking during the launch, an ACA official emphasized that the technology is designed to decentralize enforcement by putting power directly into the hands of the public.
“Counterfeit goods cost the Kenyan economy over KSh150 billion annually and pose a severe health risk,” the official stated. “This technology shifts the power of verification from the authorities to the people. We are making every consumer a watchdog.”
Unlike traditional paper labels, which sophisticated criminal networks can easily duplicate, the ACA’s new digital mark is secure and entirely tamper-proof. Major manufacturers are already collaborating with the government to integrate these digital stamps into their production lines.
“‘Scan to Verify’ is the message we are giving consumers,” the official added. “Together, we can protect lives, support genuine businesses, and stop criminal networks from profiting from fake goods.”
The government anticipates that this initiative will sharply boost consumer confidence, protect public health, and mark a decisive turning point in Kenya’s battle against illicit trade.
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