Kenya and Uganda have taken a major step in combating counterfeit trade with the launch of the Bleep App, an AI-driven authentication system designed to verify product authenticity in real time. The app, developed by Cypheme, was unveiled on Friday at the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) headquarters in Nairobi in partnership with the Anti-Counterfeit Network (ACN) Uganda.
ACA Executive Director Dr. Robi Mbugua Njoroge hailed the app as a game-changer in tackling illicit trade, saying, “This is a revolutionary tool meant to transform enforcement, consumer protection, and market surveillance by providing real-time verification of product authenticity.”Counterfeit goods pose a significant economic threat in East Africa, with illicit trade accounting for 30-40 percent of products in key industries like pharmaceuticals, electronics, and automotive parts.
The East African Community (EAC) loses over $500 million annually in tax revenue, while Kenya alone incurs losses exceeding KSh 100 billion ($800 million) every year.The Bleep App allows consumers, businesses, and enforcement agencies to scan products, verify authenticity, and report counterfeit goods. This information contributes to a growing intelligence database, enhancing anti-counterfeit efforts.
ACN Chairman Fred Muwema emphasized the need for regional collaboration, stating, “Counterfeit trade is borderless. This app represents the future of enforcement—technology-led, intelligence-driven, and consumer-empowered.”Kenya has been leading in intellectual property protection through innovations such as the IP Recordation System and the Anti-Counterfeit Integrated Management System (AIMS).
The Bleep App builds on these advancements by integrating AI, blockchain, and big data.ACA and ACN are urging businesses, consumers, and policymakers to adopt the technology to strengthen enforcement and protect markets from counterfeit infiltration.
