Counterfeit mobile phones destroyed
In May, Botswana’s Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA) destroyed a large quantity of counterfeit and pirated goods, including fake mobile telephones and earbuds. Most of these items were reportedly imported from China, and were valued at several million US dollars in total. Counterfeit products have long found a market across Africa, where high demand for luxury goods often clashes with limited consumer purchasing power and, at times, weak regulatory enforcement. However, this trend may be shifting as more countries begin to strengthen their efforts against counterfeiting.
Tanzania Strengthens IP Protection Through Legislative Reforms
Tanzania has introduced significant reforms to its IP regime through the enactment of the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2026 (the “2026 Amendments”), which received Presiden...
October 20 2026
Rwanda Overhauls IP Procedures and Fees: Key Changes Effective 13 October 2026
Rwanda’s new Ministerial Order No. 001/MINICOM/26 came into effect on 13 October 2026, introducing a number of important changes to the country’s intellectual property regime. The Order es...
October 20 2026
Legal Update | Fair Competition Commission (FCC), Tanzania
Tanzania FCC clarifies its position regarding the use of foreign trade mark certificates in support of the Mandatory recordation: 28 July 2026 | Fair Competition Commission (FCC), Tanzania. The Fair C...
October 02 2026

