Business Writer
Buy Zimbabwe has hailed the successful hosting of the Inaugural Buy Zimbabwe Anti-Counterfeit Day 2026, held on 27th of August, describing the initiative as an important step towards building a coordinated national response to the growing threat posed by counterfeit, illicit and substandard products.
The Buy Zimbabwe Anti-Counterfeit Day brought renewed national attention to the impact of counterfeit goods on consumers, legitimate businesses, employment, Government revenue and Zimbabwe’s broader industrialisation agenda.
Buy Zimbabwe Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mr Munyaradzi Hwengwere, said the success of the initiative demonstrated growing recognition of the need to confront counterfeiting collectively.
“The success of the Buy Zimbabwe Anti-Counterfeit Day has shown that there is a strong appetite among Zimbabweans, industry and institutions to protect our market from counterfeit products. Counterfeiting threatens legitimate businesses, destroys jobs, compromises consumer safety and takes money away from the formal economy.”
Mr Hwengwere said the campaign would continue beyond Anti-Counterfeit Day, with Buy Zimbabwe seeking to build stronger partnerships around consumer education, market surveillance and protection of authentic brands.
“This cannot be a once-a-year conversation. We now need to translate the momentum generated by Anti-Counterfeit Day into sustained action. Every counterfeit product purchased strengthens an illicit value chain at the expense of a legitimate business, its employees and the national economy. Consumers must be empowered to identify and choose genuine products, while institutions must make it increasingly difficult for counterfeiters to operate,” added Mr. Hwengwere.
Hwengwere believes that eliminating counterfeit products will require action across the entire value chain from the country’s borders and manufacturers to wholesalers, retailers and individual consumers.
“Law enforcement agencies should work together with the responsible bodies to make sure that the culprits who are manufacturing counterfeits should be brought to books and face the full wrath of the law” said Mr. Hwengwere.
The organisation further emphasised that supporting authentic products, particularly locally manufactured goods, protects jobs, promotes investment, rewards innovation and strengthens Zimbabwe’s productive sector.
Buy Zimbabwe extended its appreciation to POSB, participating companies, Government institutions, regulatory bodies, industry stakeholders, consumers, the media and all partners who contributed towards the success of the 2026 Anti-Counterfeit Day.