Online Reporter
Precious Manomano
Herald Reporter
BUY Zimbabwe, in partnership with POSB, will host the Buy Zimbabwe Anti-Counterfeit Day on August 26 as part of efforts to raise awareness about the dangers posed by counterfeit products and encourage consumers to buy genuine locally manufactured goods.
The initiative comes amid growing concern over the increasing circulation of counterfeit products, which continue to undermine local industries, threaten jobs and expose consumers to unsafe goods.
According to the 2026 ZimBrands Awards Consumer Survey conducted by Topline Research Solutions for Buy Zimbabwe, 46 percent of consumers said they had purchased counterfeit products, while 68 percent of them admitted they had done so knowingly.
The findings highlight the need for stronger consumer awareness, tighter enforcement and greater support for authentic Zimbabwean products.
Buy Zimbabwe chairman Mr Munyaradzi Hwengwere said counterfeit products posed a serious threat to the country’s economy and industrial development.
“Counterfeit products are more than an economic crime; they are a direct threat to our industries, jobs, consumer safety and national development,” he said.
“The Buy Zimbabwe Anti-Counterfeit Day is a call for every Zimbabwean to become an active participant in protecting our economy by choosing genuine Zimbabwean products.
“When consumers buy authentic local products, they safeguard jobs, encourage innovation and contribute directly to the growth of our national economy.”
Mr Hwengwere said the Anti-Counterfeit Day was in line with Buy Zimbabwe’s mandate of promoting locally manufactured products and strengthening the country’s productive sectors.
“The Buy Zimbabwe Anti-Counterfeit Day is a natural extension of our mandate to promote locally produced goods and build a resilient national economy,” he said.
“Every counterfeit product sold undermines the hard work of Zimbabwean manufacturers, threatens livelihoods and compromises consumer confidence in local brands.”
Economist Dr Levious Chiukira said the impact of counterfeiting extended beyond losses suffered by manufacturers, affecting the broader economy.
“Counterfeit goods distort markets, reduce Government revenue through lost taxes, discourage investment and weaken the competitiveness of legitimate businesses,” he said.
“A strong anti-counterfeit culture is essential for industrialisation, investor confidence and sustainable economic growth.
“Supporting authentic Zimbabwean products is both an economic and patriotic responsibility that benefits the entire nation.”
