# Counterfeit goods and fraud in West Africa

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/counterfeit-goods-and-fraud-in-west-africa
> Updated: 2026-09-07T22:08:35.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 2.

In early September 2026, concerns regarding fraud and counterfeit goods emerged across West Africa. In Ghana, the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) warned of scammers impersonating agents to target government contracts and school feeding programmes. Simultaneously, Nigerian regulatory bodies, including NAFDAC and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), faced scrutiny as citizens used social media to expose substandard products like fake toothpaste, linking counterfeit goods to sudden deaths.

Following these concerns, NAFDAC reported a significant escalation in the counterfeit crisis in Nigeria. Investigations indicated that some Chinese counterfeiters have moved from external operations to establishing local production plants, distribution networks, and logistics companies within the country. These syndicates reportedly identify high-demand products, send samples to China for replication, and then use their own logistics companies to distribute the fakes locally.

During a nationwide surveillance operation conducted between May and July 2026, NAFDAC removed 7,210 non-compliant items from over 6,000 facilities across 36 states and Abuja. Seized items included food, water, drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices. Since 2023, the agency has seized or destroyed counterfeit goods valued at over N1.54 trillion. Between June 2025 and June 2026, the agency secured 64 court convictions against counterfeiters.

Authorities have also warned of unbranded staples, such as palm oil and fufu, potentially being contaminated with dangerous dyes or bleach. Amidst these enforcement efforts, NAFDAC Director-General Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye noted that regulatory initiatives like the ‘5 Plus 5’ policy and the Ceiling List have contributed to an increase in local pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, which rose from 174 to 190.

## Claims

- Chinese syndicates have established local production and logistics networks within Nigeria to distribute counterfeit products. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- More than N1.54 trillion worth of counterfeit, substandard, and non-compliant goods have been seized or destroyed in Nigeria since 2023. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- NAFDAC removed 7,210 regulated items, including food, water, medicines, and cosmetics, during a surveillance operation from May to July 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- NAFDAC secured 64 convictions against counterfeiters between June 2025 and June 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The number of pharmaceutical manufacturing companies in Nigeria increased from 174 to 190 due to NAFDAC's 5+5 policy and Ceiling List initiatives. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-07: Nigeria's NAFDAC uncovers Chinese networks producing counterfeit goods locally

NAFDAC reports that Chinese syndicates are establishing local production and logistics networks in Nigeria to distribute counterfeit goods, following the seizure of thousands of unsafe products.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nafdac-removes-7210-unsafe-products-in-nigeria

### 2026-09-04: Fraud alerts and counterfeit goods rise in Ghana and Nigeria

Fraudsters are impersonating NAFCO agents in Ghana to target school feeding contracts, while Nigerian regulators face pressure over the rise of counterfeit food and medical products in local markets.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fraud-alerts-and-counterfeit-goods-rise-in-ghana-and-nigeria

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Cite as: Counterfeit goods and fraud in West Africa. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/counterfeit-goods-and-fraud-in-west-africa