According to TimesLIVE, South Africa is addressing challenges posed by illicit trade, including smuggling and tax evasion, while also dealing with the economic conditions that allow shadow markets to thrive. The country's fiscal constraints further complicate these issues, impacting affordability and the effectiveness of enforcement measures.

Vietnam is facing pressure from the Trump administration to address its growing counterfeit luxury goods market. The local population appears to have mixed opinions on the crackdown, reflecting a divide in perspectives regarding the impact of the counterfeit industry on the economy and society.

South African police have dismantled criminal networks in a large-scale cross-border operation valued at R15 million, according to The Citizen. The operation targeted transnational criminal syndicates, with authorities describing it as a significant blow to organised crime operating across borders. Details of arrests, seizures, or the specific criminal activities involved were not provided in the available information.

Gadibolae Dihlabi, managing director of LPGSA, addresses the issue of the illicit gas trade, highlighting how the ongoing energy crisis has contributed to its expansion. He emphasizes the importance of regulatory compliance and outlines necessary measures to enhance adherence within the industry.

Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader Mmusi Maimane has pledged to protect informal traders from criminalisation, warning against the treatment of street vendors as criminals. According to SABC Politics, Maimane argued that informal trading is a vital source of livelihood for many South Africans and that authorities should support rather than penalise vendors. The remarks form part of BOSA's broader political messaging on economic inclusion and the rights of workers in the informal economy.

The Kenyan government has stopped parallel importation of medicines and health technologies to enhance oversight and protect citizens from substandard and counterfeit medical products. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced that all pharmaceutical imports must now go through approved channels to ensure compliance with quality, safety, and efficacy standards.