Nigeria looks at use of QR codes to deter counterfeiting

Nigeria's Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has set up a committee to explore the use of digital traceability systems to combat the trade in counterfeit goods.

The Joint Inter-Agency Committee is launching a Digital Traceability Portal that will assign unique QR codes to products that, according to the FCCPC, will allow "consumers, retailers, manufacturers, and regulators to verify authenticity, track origin, and ensure end-to-end product traceability."

"As the apex regulator, the Commission has sought the collaboration of key stakeholders in the development of this platform to ensure traceability and authenticity of products," commented Kola Alabi, the FCCPC's executive commissioner for corporate services.

"Our goal is to deliver a solution that reduces counterfeiting and addresses other challenges within the supply chain," he added.

The Joint Inter-Agency Committee brings together representatives from critical institutions including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Police Force, National Orientation Agency (NOA), and the Anti-Counterfeiting Collaboration (ACC).

The announcement of a QR code-based system comes as questions are being raised about another QR code system deployed in India to guard against counterfeit medicines, which has been criticised as being unfit for purpose as they can be easily copied, can redirect consumers to malicious sites, and can be used on fake products to give them the appearance of legitimacy.

The rise of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is contributing to the problem by allowing compromised QR codes to point to materials that are easy to produce and can be almost impossible to distinguish to genuine sources.

Details of Nigeria's push to adopt QR are sketchy so far – and technologies exist that can add layers of security to the codes – so all eyes are concentrating on what system the Committee comes up with.

Meanwhile, a QR-based approach is also being developed by the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ), dubbed CCZ Verified, which is already being piloted by some brands, according to media reports.

"The Traceability Portal is expected to usher in a new era of digital accountability in Nigeria’s product markets, combat fake goods, and build consumer trust through real-time authentication and supply chain visibility," according to the Commission.