The Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK), the COMESA Competition Commission and the University of Johannesburg’s Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development (CCRED) are honoured to host the 9th Annual Competition and Economic Regulation (ACER) Week combined with the 11th Annual CAK Symposium on Competition Law and Policy, in person in Nairobi, Kenya. This will be an essential platform for competition authorities, regulators and practitioners to share knowledge, keep abreast of key developments across the region, and build networks for collaboration between agencies.

The week will comprise three targeted Professional Training Programmes (PTPs), which run concurrently from 14 – 16 October 2024 and the Symposium on 17 & 18 October 2024. The PTPs will be facilitated by leading academics, experts and practitioners to empower participants with relevant skills and knowledge in the field.

1. Competition Economics & Consumer Protection PTP

Addressing core areas in competition economics, this PTP is targeted at competition and consumer protection practitioners. The PTP will cover topics in mergers, anti-competitive conduct and consumer protection. The key principles will be taught along with their practical application in cases. Emphasis will be placed on topical debates in regional enforcement, issues of competition and consumer protection in digital markets and on developments in different jurisdictions in East and Southern Africa and around the world.

The course will be delivered through a series of lectures and case examples from the continent and internationally. As part of facilitated breakout groups, hypothetical exercises will be undertaken to enhance learning and apply concepts. Facilitators will be leading experts in competition economics and consumer protection with in-depth hands-on experience of cases in African jurisdictions and globally.

2. Competition Law and Regulation PTP

This course covers core legal principles in competition law and policy and the application of those principles in cases and inquiries. The focus is on practical aspects of competition enforcement such as initiating investigations, commissioning market inquiries, running hearings, negotiation/settlement, and using the law to gather evidence. With particular attention to the overlap between law and economics and examples from recent African cases, the PTP will also address making and appealing the decisions of competition authorities. Presenters include those who have participated in precedent-setting decisions, processes and regulation drafting on the continent. Attention will also be placed on regional competition enforcement in light of the AfCFTA.

3. Masterclass on Competition Economics PTP

In an exciting offering targeted at experienced participants, a series of six masterclasses will be delivered by international and local presenters. Each three-hour masterclass will focus on the latest theory and practice in contemporary advanced competition topics. These include digital platforms; market inquiries; developments in merger control, evaluating economic evidence, identifying cross-border coordination. Presenters will include those leading these debates internationally, with in-depth engagement on the African competition agenda. Reference will be made to precedent-setting cases which will also be used as the basis for hand-on group work exercises.

ACER 2024 Fees and Booking

To reserve your place for the Symposium, click here to complete the booking form. Note that the booking form contains further information on how to reserve your place for all or a combination of sessions. Queries can be directed to Seli Nthite. Tel: +27 11 559 7523. E-mail: selim@uj.ac.za