To mark the world’s global anti-counterfeit day, Nokia joined forces with the Kenyan Anti-Counterfeit Agency (ACA) to affirm its commitment to reducing the number of counterfeit mobile phones and accessories in East Africa.
Counterfeit devices seized in a raid last year
The mobile phone manufacturer is one of the most popular brands in the market and as such is a target for counterfeiters trying to cash in on its brand.
Counterfeiting of mobile phones is widespread and consumers are often unable to tell the difference between a fake and genuine device. According to ACA, other counterfeited products include: electrical and electronics equipment, medicines, apparel, motor vehicle parts, music, literary works and computer software.
Robert Nyagah, Nokia East Africa Care Channel Manager commented, “One of the greatest dangers of using a fake phone is the lack of access to after-sales support. In addition, these devices are often not capable of supporting relevant consumer services and the user experience is poor. Nokia ensures that all genuine phones come with a standard 12 month warranty, valid across East Africa, and offering consumers a wide network of professional after-sales service centres. If customers are unsure whether their device is a genuine Nokia product, they can pop into any of our customer care outlets for validation.”
The Kenyan Anti-Counterfeit Authority has stated that Kenya loses around 3.2 Billion Shillings annually through tax evasion on the sale of fake handsets. Communications Commission of Kenya has also joined the fight to switch off fake devices by August 2012 in a move to protect Kenyan consumers from fraud and scams which are often perpetrated through fake devices with no traceability through International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers.
Nokia continues to work proactively with ACA and relevant authorities in Kenya, and is tabling the same agenda with regional authorities across Africa based on the success of its efforts to reduce the counterfeit trade in Kenya.
“Through Nokia’s range of truly compelling mobile phones, a deliberate focus on locally relevant content and services, relentless attention to after sales support, and ongoing efforts to reduce the total cost of ownership of genuine Nokia phones –the company is winning the fight against fake phones in Kenya and will take that winning formula to the rest of East Africa,” concluded Nyagah.
