COUNTERFEIT GOODS

Concern in Mozambique as counterfeit alcoholic drinks flood the market

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

‘Networks of corruption’ and inadequate resources at regulatory authorities mean up to 80% of popular brands of drinks could be fake.

Mozambican authorities and a local industry body have raised the alarm at the large number of counterfeit alcoholic drunks being sold in the country – as high as 80% being counterfeit when it comes to certain popular alcohol brands.

Photo by Craig Adderley from Pexels

The National Association of Producers and Importers of Alcoholic Beverages has now appealed for awareness campaigns, tougher legislation, and training for inspectors and technicians in order to better monitor the alcoholic beverages market. 

 

“Networks of corruption” and inadequate resources within the relevant government departments are being blamed. The lower prices that consumers are being charged for counterfeit products is also fuelling the demand. 

 

In a recent interview with AIM, the official news agency in Mozambique, the Director of the National Inspectorate of Economic Activities (INAE), Ana Rita Freitas, said the inspectorate was being hampered by having neither the training nor the equipment to carry out laboratory tests on products to test if they are genuine or not.  

 

“Unfortunately, INAE can’t prove whether a gin or whisky is counterfeit or not. INAE has neither the training nor the equipment to carry out laboratory tests. There is a need to establish collaboration with partners who can provide experts on the matter,” she is quoted as saying. 

 

Freitas also acknowledged corruption as a factor, saying “there are a lot of crooks in this area” and telling AIM that seized illegal drinks often found their way back onto the market again. 

 

According to Freitas, the market is now “saturated” with drinks “of dubious quality”. 

 

Zimbabwe concerned at counterfeit groceries 

 

Zimbabwe is currently involved in a crackdown on counterfeit and smuggled goods, particularly grocery products being sold through tuck shops and vending stalls. 

 

Speaking to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Industry and Commerce in late February, Douglas Runyowa, Chief Director for Commerce in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, said the influx of these goods is at alarming levels. 

 

“Most of what we have seen in the informal sector is quite shocking. In our awareness programmes we are warning people that, while some of these products might be cheap, they come at the expense of health because we cannot guarantee their safety,” Runyowa told the parliamentary body. 

 

“The results [of a study the department] showed that 50% of these products did not comply with the required standards. You can find fake Vaseline, fake flour, fake rice, fake toothpaste – and this is an alarming situation.”

View all articles »
author avatar
Rozanne
See Full Bio

PUBLICATIONS

Strategic Marketing for Africa Magazine

CONTACT INFORMATION

info@africanmarketingconfederation.org

0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop
    Continue Shopping

    Dr Kin Kariisa

    Group CEO - Next Media

    Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
    With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
    Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

    Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

    Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

    • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
    • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
    • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
    • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.