Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya are losing an estimated KSh150 billion every year in missed revenue due to intellectual property (IP) theft, according to the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA).
ACA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Robi King’a said the agency is now pushing for legal amendments to strengthen penalties for offenders, citing a sharp rise in IP theft cases, particularly through online trade platforms.
“E-commerce has opened up new markets but also new risks. We have seen a 30 percent rise in IP-related crimes linked to digital platforms,” said Dr. King’a.
According to the regulator, Kenya’s illicit trade market is valued at KSh825 billion annually, with intellectual property theft accounting for nearly one-fifth of that amount.
To protect local innovators, the ACA plans to amend the law to increase fines for IP offenders from the current three times the retail value of the seized goods to five times. The proposed changes aim to make IP theft less profitable and enhance deterrence.
In addition, Japan has pledged to support Kenya’s efforts by training law enforcers and innovators on measures to combat intellectual property theft. The partnership seeks to strengthen enforcement capacity and promote Kenya as a regional innovation hub.
Dr. King’a noted that robust IP protection frameworks not only safeguard innovators but also have broader economic benefits.
“Strong intellectual property policies will allow innovators to use their property rights as collateral to access credit, boosting working capital and business growth,” he said.
The ACA urged stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem—including policymakers, startups, and enforcement agencies—to collaborate in building a fair and competitive market that rewards creativity and innovation.
