Case Study II
Awareness Raising in The East Africa Community
The Issue
Africa Matters Limited (AML) has been leading the anti-counterfeiting crusade in Africa, engaging with stakeholders and highlighting the dangers of counterfeits and pirated goods. Baroness Lynda Chalker (AML’s Chairman) in April 2007 met senior members of the East Africa Community (EAC) who included the Secretary General, Ambassador Juma Mwapachu and the Counsel to the Community, Mr Wilbert Kaahwa. At this meeting both the EAC and AML agreed that urgent and concerted efforts were necessary to combat the illegal trade in counterfeits and ensure the harmonisation of laws and standards in all the five partner states (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi). AML stressed the dangers that counterfeits pose to the health and safety of the population and indeed to the economy at large, through the loss of badly needed revenue and jobs, resulting from reduced investment.
AML’s Role
AML carried out a survey of the EAC countries to establish the capacity levels of the various regulatory agencies in combating counterfeits. The results showed clearly the capacity weaknesses and inadequate funding across the region, resulting in deficiencies in enforcement and testing capabilities.
In Dar es Salaam in October 2007, Baroness Chalker addressed an Intellectual Property Rights conference, highlighting the dangers of illicit trade.
To coincide with the First East Africa Investment Conference in Kigali in July 2008, Baroness Chalker wrote an article in entitled, “East Africa – A Rising Investment Destination” . In the article she highlighted the initial funding that the EAC received from the Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF) for an Anti-Counterfeiting project and stressed the need for firm government action to rid markets of fake products. Businesses take account of many factors when making investment decisions; the presence of strong Intellectual Property laws and their effective enforcement being amongst them.
At a conference held in London in March 2009, which AML jointly organised with the City of London, the issue of counterfeit goods, was raised by both President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Ambassador Mwapachu.
Results So Far
The EAC is now at the forefront of anti-counterfeiting initiatives in Africa. It has drafted an Anti- Counterfeiting policy and Bill, which it plans to enact in 2010. Working alongside the key stakeholders, AML has played an active role in raising the issue in relevant fora, ensuring it is kept high on the agenda and pushing for pirated goods and illicit trade to be tackled.
Note: For more information, please contact research@africamatters.com