October 2025
ICCE PROTECTS MARKETS IN AFRICA, DELIVERING LARGE RAID IN ZAMBIA
Law enforcement authorities in Africa cooperated with ICCE to protect customers from counterfeiting (illustrative picture).
In Zambia, officials have successfully thwarted a major counterfeiting operation earlier this year, in a coordinated move against counterfeit imaging supplies in Africa. In cooperation with ICCE members Canon and HP, officials seized tens of thousands of illegal items, including counterfeit printer cartridges, counterfeit component parts, and counterfeiting equipment.
In the lead-up to the enforcement action, Canon had initiated inquiries based on a report about possible counterfeiting activities received from local business stakeholders. Following up on this information, anti‑counterfeiting experts identified a large operation manufacturing and selling fake imaging supplies. Local authorities subsequently ran a string of raids at multiple locations in the Lusaka area in February 2025. Together with ICCE members, the officials enforced against a counterfeiting workshop as well as several linked sites, including storage facilities hidden in residential premises. In total, the officials seized approximately 30,000 illegal items.
“At ICCE, we take great pride in supporting customs, police, and other authorities wherever possible. The recent success in Zambia gives a strong testimony of how our collaborative efforts with authorities help to protect end users and honest traders from counterfeits. We will continue to provide the authorities in Africa and beyond with the formal support required to ensure successful enforcement actions. ICCE provides dedicated support, such as regular training opportunities, so officials can stay ahead of counterfeiters.”
ICCE and ICCE Members Are Active Across Africa
The impressive raid action in Zambia, sitting at the continent’s crossroads of Central Africa, Southern Africa, and East Africa, once again illustrates the core of ICCE’s work: cooperating to fight counterfeit imaging supplies and to protect local businesses and end users from fake toner and ink cartridges. So, it comes as no surprise that ICCE and its members take action against counterfeiting trade in various countries throughout the African continent.
Various ICCE members have recently backed other anti-counterfeiting initiatives and enforcement actions by local officials in Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, South Africa, and other countries. For example, ICCE member HP supported an action against traders of counterfeit cartridges in Kenya. HP assisted authorities in the Nairobi region in multiple raid actions against a network distributing counterfeit cartridges. Kenyan law enforcement officials raided several premises in two days in July and seized thousands of illegal items. Prior to this, HP had identified counterfeit cartridges which had already been delivered to a commercial end‑user in a HP Customer Delivery Inspection, paving the way for the raid actions.
“Effective communication is crucial in combating counterfeiting. Through our combined initiatives at ICCE, we are sending a powerful message that underscores our commitment to safeguarding markets and end users in Africa and beyond. Additionally, we support our valued customers and business partners in their efforts against counterfeiting by providing guidance and information on icce.net.”
There is Even More to Come
Taking strong action against counterfeiting is vital to protect honest businesses from illegal competition, and to shield buyers from the risks of illegal, low-quality goods. ICCE members are proud to have supported numerous recent enforcement action in Africa. ICCE will continue the fight against counterfeiting in Africa, building on its strong position, which combines the intelligence of multiple leading brands. ICCE experts offer support to authorities and stakeholders, and ICCE provides education and guidance for consumers, resellers, and law enforcement.
At the same time, the recent cases in Africa show the need to purchase from reputable suppliers. When purchasing genuine imaging supplies, ICCE recommends to only buy from authorised resellers and avoid any suspiciously low prices that seem too good to be true.
Consumers and businesses are welcome to contact ICCE if they have any suspicions of counterfeit printing supplies. ICCE members will review all reports and take follow‑up steps as appropriate. Information from local stakeholders can be very useful, as evidenced by the recent actions taken in Africa.