2016 – 2026
ACN @ 10 — A Decade of Action
ACN Africa Is Born
The Anti-Counterfeit Network is officially incorporated in Kampala, Uganda, as a company limited by guarantee — mandated to bridge intervention gaps between all stakeholders affected by counterfeit and substandard goods across Africa.
First Market Surveys & Investigations
ACN launches its first wave of market surveys and field investigations, generating empirical evidence on counterfeiting trends across pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and consumer goods sectors in Uganda.
Legal Enforcement Framework Established
ACN operationalises its legal enforcement pillar, partnering with law firms and regulatory bodies to undertake formal legal redress against counterfeit producers and distributors, setting regional precedents for IP protection.
Regional Footprint Grows Across East Africa
ACN expands beyond Uganda into Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda, forging strategic alliances with national anti-counterfeit agencies, brand owners, and consumer protection organisations throughout the East African Community.
Frontline Against COVID-19 Counterfeits
As the pandemic opens new avenues for counterfeiters, ACN mobilises rapidly to expose and combat fake PPE, counterfeit medicines, and fraudulent sanitisers — protecting vulnerable communities through rapid investigations and public awareness campaigns.
DANCCANI Framework Developed
ACN introduces DANCCANI — a landmark behavioural-change model identifying eight key drivers of counterfeiting culture: Differentiation, Affordability, Normalcy, Convenience, Concealed Danger, Aspirations, Negligence, and Ineffective Cooperation.
Authentication Technology Solutions Deployed
ACN rolls out innovative product authentication and consumer reporting systems, enabling real-time verification of goods across multiple sectors and empowering citizens to report suspected counterfeits through digital channels.
MOU Signed with Kenya Anti-Counterfeit Authority
In a landmark ceremony at Mercury Hotel, Upperhill, Nairobi, ACN Africa and the Anti-Counterfeit Authority of Kenya (ACA) sign a Memorandum of Understanding, formalising cross-border collaboration to tackle counterfeiting at scale.
Anti-Counterfeit Legislation — A Continental Push
ACN intensifies policy advocacy, engaging parliaments, media houses, legal bodies, and procurement agencies across Africa to accelerate robust anti-counterfeit legislation — with the Anti-Counterfeit Bill gaining significant parliamentary traction.
Pan-African Strategy & Sectoral Deepening
ACN rolls out its Pan-African strategy, broadening its sectoral footprint to cover 15+ industries — from petroleum and electronics to construction and education. Mindset-change training programmes reach tens of thousands of consumers and industry players.
ACN @ 10 — A Decade of Authentic Impact
Ten years since incorporation, ACN Africa stands as the continent's leading collaborative intervention platform against counterfeiting. From a startup in Kampala to a Pan-African force — Genuine All The Way.