The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), in collaboration with the Anti-Counterfeit Network (ACN)-Uganda, has launched an evolutionary anti-counterfeit product solution to transform enforcement, consumer protection, and market surveillance in a bid to curb cross-border counterfeit businesses.
Speaking during the launch, Anti-Counterfeit Executive Director, Dr. Robi Njoroge revealed that the newly launched ‘Bleep’ application is revolutionary software that intends to protect consumers and empower enforcement agencies and businesses by offering instant authentication of goods.
“In Kenya alone, the counterfeit trade results in losses exceeding 100 billion Kenya shillings annually, harming sectors like medicine, agriculture, and fast-moving consumer goods,” revealed Njoroge.
He stated that the report presented by the East African Business Council (EABC) indicates that counterfeit and illicit trade make up to 30-40 percent of key sectors, including pharmaceuticals electronics, and automotive parts.
“Counterfeiting is not just a matter of economic fraud. It is a form of organized crime that threatens consumer health and safety, destabilizes legitimate trade, and undermines economic growth,” said Dr. Njoroge.
He added that counterfeiting is not only a matter of economic fraud but also a form of organized crime that threatens consumer health and safety, destabilizes legitimate trade, and undermines economic growth.
“The fight against counterfeiting requires collective action from government, businesses, non-state actors, consumers, and regional stakeholders,” he concluded.
In a quick rejoinder, ACN Chairman Fred Muwema reiterated that the platform features a unique scannable technology, which has been integrated into Bleep allowing users to scan a secure, tamper-proof product mark using their phones.
He affirmed that the app empowers consumers to report counterfeits, as research has shown that the public is not actively engaged in reporting them.
Making his remarks, ACN-Uganda’s Dr. Milka Singh, stated that they have used a new technology called deep trace AI technology, the first hybrid platform under the sky which has started using deep trace AI technology.
He added that the BLEEP sticker has a hybrid technology that has multiple features including six layers of ink spray. This means heavy investment has been made in the manufacturing of these stickers.
“This sticker is self-destructible, which means once I remove the sticker and put it on another product, that sticker cannot work and every time I take a picture, it will send another geotagging that someone is trying to fake,” affirmed Dr. Sing
The launch marks a milestone in the fight against illicit trade and counterfeit goods, which continue to pose a major threat to counties across East Africa (EA) and result in an estimated annual tax revenue loss of $500 million.
By Clinton Ng’iela and Khavakali Venesa
