DAR ES SALAAM – Temeke District Commissioner Sixtus Mapunda has called for intensified efforts to combat counterfeit goods in Tanzania, emphasizing that the battle cannot be won by government institutions alone but requires the active participation of citizens, the private sector and all economic stakeholders due to the significant harm counterfeit products pose to public health, legitimate businesses and government revenues.
Mapunda made the remarks today in Dar es Salaam while officiating the 2026 World Anti-Counterfeiting Day (WACD) celebrations organized by the Fair Competition Commission (FCC) under the theme: “Protect Lives and Markets Against Counterfeit Alcohol, Lubricants and Cigarettes.”
Addressing government officials, business leaders, trademark owners, development partners and private sector representatives, Mapunda warned that counterfeit products continue to pose a serious threat to public health and economic development as they enter the market without meeting quality, safety and regulatory standards.
“Counterfeit products such as alcohol, cigarettes and lubricants not only endanger consumers' health but also undermine legitimate businesses and manufacturers who comply with the law, pay taxes and invest in accordance with national regulations. This is a challenge that requires collective action from all of us,” said Mapunda.
He stressed that the Fair Competition Commission alone cannot eliminate the problem, as counterfeit goods infiltrate markets through various channels and often attract consumers because of their lower prices, leading many buyers to overlook the risks associated with such products.
Speaking at the event, the Acting Director General of the Fair Competition Commission and Chief Inspector of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority Ms: Khadija Ngasongwa said this year's commemoration was designed to raise public awareness about the dangers of counterfeit alcohol, cigarettes and lubricants due to their severe impact on public health, consumer safety and the national economy.
She noted that unlike previous years, when the celebrations focused on counterfeit products in general, the Commission had deliberately chosen to concentrate on these three sectors because of the growing challenges associated with the production, distribution and consumption of counterfeit products within them.
“Our objective is to help citizens understand that counterfeit goods are not merely a business issue. They are a public health concern, a consumer protection issue and a threat to the survival of legitimate enterprises in the country,” she said.
She further explained that the commemorations included public awareness campaigns through the media, stakeholder engagements, educational programs for traders and consumers, as well as expert discussions examining the dangers of counterfeit products and strategies for addressing the challenge.
Among the topics discussed were the health risks posed by counterfeit alcohol and cigarettes, as well as innovative approaches involving technology, policy reforms, institutional collaboration and private sector participation in strengthening anti-counterfeiting efforts.
In another major development, the FCC announced the completion of its new five-year Strategic Plan for the period 2026/2027 to 2030/2031, which for the first time elevates anti-counterfeiting activities into a standalone strategic objective within the Commission's core mandate.
The move is viewed as a significant policy shift that reflects the government's growing recognition of the scale and complexity of counterfeit trade in today's business environment, particularly amid the rapid growth of e-commerce, emerging distribution networks and the increasing use of technology by illicit trading syndicates.
Through the new strategy, the Commission aims to enhance its capacity to detect and remove counterfeit products from the market more effectively, strengthen cooperation with trademark owners, improve intelligence-gathering systems, expand the use of modern technologies in inspections and investigations, and intensify public awareness initiatives.
Speaking during the celebrations, the Chairperson of the Fair Competition Commission Justice Rose Inoted that despite the achievements recorded under the 2020/2021 to 2025/2026 Strategic Plan, significant challenges remain, including the need for greater investment in digital systems, human resources and advanced technologies to keep pace with rapidly evolving global market dynamics.
The Chairperson stated that the Commission will continue reviewing laws, policies and regulations to strengthen the enforcement of competition laws, enhance consumer protection and improve Tanzania's capacity to tackle counterfeit trade.
Business analysts observe that the proliferation of counterfeit goods threatens far more than public health. Such products reduce government revenue through tax evasion, discourage private sector investment, distort fair market competition and undermine consumer confidence in legitimate brands and products.
As a result, this year's World Anti-Counterfeiting Day celebrations delivered a clear message that the fight against counterfeit goods is not solely the responsibility of the FCC but a shared obligation involving government institutions, manufacturers, traders and consumers alike in order to protect lives, support legitimate businesses and safeguard the nation's economic prosperity.
