Editorial Desk 
Recent reports from the OECD highlighted counterfeiting as one of the largest criminal enterprises globally, with estimated annual sales of counterfeit and pirated goods reaching up to $4.5 trillion—a staggering figure that surpasses revenues from drugs or human trafficking. In East Africa, counterfeit trading within the East African Community alone accounted for an annual market share of Ksh 180 billion in 2017, indicating the magnitude of the challenge faced by regulatory agencies.
Dr. Robi M. N. King’a, PhD.,Executive Director of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority – Kenya(ACA),emphasized the urgency of addressing the counterfeit menace, citing statistics that underscore the detrimental impacts of illicit trade on the economy, investor confidence, and innovation.
The renewed partnership between ACA and FCC will facilitate the development of innovative approaches and strategies to combat counterfeit trade.Key areas of collaboration include information sharing for enforcement actions, public outreach, research, and expertise exchange, aiming to enhance investigations and intelligence networks targeting perpetrators engaged in counterfeit and illicit trade activities.
The partnership was formalized during a benchmarking and collaboration session held in Nairobi, where a delegation from the Fair Competition Commission (FCC) engaged in discussions to enhance cooperation between the two regulatory bodies. Both the ACA and FCC are mandated by law to combat counterfeiting and illicit trade, contributing significantly to the promotion of economic stability and consumer safety.