South Africa Launches Multi-Industry Task Forces to Tackle Illicit Trade

The Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) has launched several task forces aimed at strengthening South Africa’s response to illicit trade, with a particular focus on high-risk excisable and fast-moving consumer goods sectors.

Announced in Johannesburg on 1 December 2025, the initiative brings together close to 20 industry associations and sectoral bodies to coordinate action across the most affected product categories, including alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, clothing, and toys.

The task forces are intended to support a more integrated enforcement and policy approach, focusing on the disruption of illicit trade networks, evidence-based regulatory advocacy, and closer collaboration between industry, regulators and enforcement agencies. CGCSA says the initiative is designed to complement existing enforcement structures while addressing persistent gaps in compliance, monitoring and consumer awareness that continue to enable illicit markets.

CGCSA Chief Executive Officer Zinhle Tyikwe said combating illicit trade now requires sustained, collective action across sectors rather than fragmented, product-specific interventions.