The Fair Competition Commission (FCC) has intensified its crackdown on counterfeit products through a strategic stakeholder engagement seminar held in Dodoma, aimed at equipping traders with practical knowledge on identifying and eliminating counterfeit goods from the market.
The seminar, part of the national commemoration of World Anti-Counterfeit Day that brought together business operators, regulators, and consumer rights advocates in a collective effort to address the growing threat of counterfeit products to public health, investor confidence, and Tanzania’s industrial growth.
Speaking at the forum, FCC’s Manager of Anti-Counterfeit Surveillance, Mr. Salvatory Chuwa, underscored the Commission’s commitment to creating a competitive and fair marketplace, warning that counterfeit goods not only endanger lives but also erode the legitimacy of local manufacturers and undermine economic development.
“This platform serves as a wake-up call for the business community. Counterfeit goods are not just a legal issue—they are a public health risk and a direct threat to Tanzania’s industrial economy,” said Mr. Chuwa.
He added that “We are here to enhance awareness, but also to emphasize the legal responsibility of traders in ensuring the authenticity of the products they bring to market.”
According to Mr. Chuwa, counterfeit products have infiltrated key sectors including pharmaceuticals, electronics, food and beverages, and agricultural inputs, posing serious implications for consumer safety and confidence.
He noted that the continued circulation of substandard goods discourages local innovation, damages brand reputations, and deters both domestic and foreign investment.
“Genuine Tanzanian manufacturers are being unfairly pushed out of the market by counterfeits. These illicit products dilute brand value, compromise product standards, and severely limit the ability of legitimate enterprises to scale,” he added.
The Commission called on traders to exercise heightened due diligence in sourcing products, warning that ignorance of a product’s origin or authenticity does not exempt one from legal consequences under the Fair Competition Act.
Mr. Chuwa also urged consumers to report counterfeit products to authorities, stressing that a vigilant public is key to dismantling counterfeit supply chains.
The Dodoma seminar is one of several strategic interventions being rolled out by the FCC nationwide, in collaboration with industry stakeholders, to strengthen enforcement and enhance consumer protection frameworks.
As Tanzania deepens its industrialisation agenda, the FCC reiterated its resolve to ensure that fair competition and product integrity remain central to sustainable economic transformation.
