Govt Moves to Curb Fake Products with New Consumer...

Govt Moves to Curb Fake Products with New Consumer Verification App

Zim Now Writer

The Zimbabwean government, through the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, is partnering with the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe to launch a new digital platform aimed at tackling the growing issue of counterfeit goods in the market.

The app, named CCZ Verified, will enable consumers and businesses to instantly check the authenticity of products, marking a significant move toward strengthening consumer protection in the country.

The announcement came as Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Anti-Counterfeiting Day on June 6. CCZ CEO Rose Mpofu said the platform was created in response to rising consumer concern over fake and substandard goods, which have increasingly found their way into both formal and informal markets.

“This day is a timely reminder of how counterfeit goods are harming consumers and distorting markets. With CCZ Verified, we are creating a tool that empowers the public to spot and avoid fakes before they reach their homes,” Mpofu said.

The platform, she added, is already being piloted with several local and regional brands and will involve close collaboration with law enforcement to trace and remove counterfeit goods from circulation.

Mpofu highlighted that beyond technological innovation, there is a need for stronger enforcement and higher standards across industries. “Counterfeiting thrives where regulation is weak. Our role at CCZ is to tighten those gaps while giving consumers the tools they need to protect themselves.”

As a member of several regional and global consumer protection bodies—including the Standards Association of Zimbabwe, the African Regional Standards Organisation Consumer Committee (ARSOCoCo), and the ISO Consumer Policy Committee (ISO CoPoCo)—the CCZ has been vocal about the importance of embedding consumer interests in policy and product standards at every level.

The CCZ Verified platform is expected to place Zimbabwe among the countries leading the use of tech to curb counterfeit trade, restore consumer confidence, and promote ethical commerce.

“We want to build a future where consumers can trust the market again,” Mpofu said. “When people know the products they buy are genuine, it’s not just about safety—it’s about building a stronger, more transparent economy.”

The platform will officially launch in the coming weeks. Consumers are urged to remain alert and make full use of it once available.