June 11, 2021
6th Annual Competition and Economic Regulation (ACER) Week
Online courses and call for papers
20 - 29 SEPTEMBER 2021
The Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) and the University of Johannesburg’s Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development (CCRED) are honoured to host the 8th Annual Capacity Building Workshop and Symposium on Competition Law and Policy during the 6th Annual Competition and Economic Regulation (ACER) Week (ACER VI). ACER VI will be hosted ONLINE in 2021, combining three ONLINE Professional Training Programmes (PTPs) running concurrently on 20-24, 27 September 2021, and an ONLINE Symposium on 28-29 September 2021.
Certificated Professional Training Programmes
The PTPs will run as half-day online sessions over six days (20-24, 27 September 2021). Each course has been updated to cover key theoretical concepts and emerging issues in competition economics and law, and consumer protection. Each course includes real-world case studies and exercises run in facilitated online breakout groups, and draws on cases from within Africa and outside Africa to enhance learning on how the theoretical principles are applied. The PTPs will be taught by the leading international practitioners and academics in the field, including facilitators from CAK and CCRED. PTPs on offer:
1. Competition Economics and Policy
This course addresses the core areas of competition economics, in a practitioner-oriented approach, with carefully selected case examples and exercises. It will cover the most recent cases in Kenya, other African countries and internationally, to demonstrate the application of competition tests in practice. Hypothetical exercises will be undertaken to enhance learning and apply concepts, run in facilitated online breakout groups. Key topics will include merger control, digital platforms, regional competition enforcement, and barriers to entry and inclusive development. Lead facilitators include: Thembalethu Buthelezi (Competition Commission of South Africa), Reena das Nair (CCRED), Sean Ennis (Professor at the University of East Anglia and Director of the Centre for Competition Policy), Massimo Motta (Research Professor at ICREA-Universitat Pompeu Fabra and Barcelona Graduate School of Economics) and Adano Wario Roba (Director: Policy and Research, CAK).
2. Legal Principles in Competition and Consumer Protection
This course covers core legal principles in competition and consumer protection law and issues of legal due process and decision-making. Practical aspects such as initiating investigations, market inquiries and obtaining evidence will be addressed, in addition to the role of economic evidence in deciding on likely harm to competition. Lessons on drafting pleadings, running hearings and procedural questions will be covered through practical examples. Reaching and writing decisions, and the grounds on which such decisions may be appealed will further be explored. Lead presenters have handed down precedent-setting decisions and drafted regulations in a number of countries, including Jonathan Klaaren (Professor at Wits University), Norman Manoim (Former Chairperson of the Competition Tribunal of South Africa), Rory Macmillan (Macmillan Keck Attorneys & Solicitors), Boniface Makongo (Director: Competition and Consumer Protection, CAK), Faith Odhiambo (Council Member, Law Society of Kenya) and Thando Vilakazi (CCRED).
3. Advanced Masterclasses on Competition
In an exciting offering targeted at more experienced participants, a series of six masterclasses will be delivered by international and local presenters. Each half-day masterclass will focus on the latest theory and practice in contemporary advanced competition topics. These include digital platforms; market inquiries; mobile money and e-commerce; COVID-19 price gouging and competition actions; buyer power and price discrimination; developments in merger control, such as killer acquisitions and regional cooperation; and competition policy, climate change and sustainability. Presenters will include those leading these debates internationally, with in-depth engagement on the African competition agenda, including James Hodge (Competition Commission of South Africa), Amelia Fletcher (Centre for Competition Policy), Eleanor Fox (Professor, New York University School of Law), Frederic Jenny (Chairperson of the OECD Competition Committee), Wang’ombe Kariuki (Director General, Competition Authority of Kenya) and Simon Roberts (CCRED).
Symposium and Call for Paper
The Symposium will offer a platform for discussion on frontier topics in African competition policy and regulation, and presentation of selected, high-quality papers by authors from throughout the region. The Symposium Call for Papers opens on 1 June 2021 and closes on 10 July 2021. Abstracts are invited on all issues of competition policy and enforcement, especially in the following key themes:
- Reviewing 10 Years of the Competition Authority of Kenya: Impact Assessment and Comparative Insights
- COVID-19, competition enforcement and economic recovery in developing countries
- The AfCFTA and regional competition enforcement: opportunities and challenges
- Competition and consumer protection in Africa, as it relates to digital platforms.
Abstracts should be no more than 250 words, submitted to karissam@uj.ac.za by 10 July 2021. Acceptance of abstracts will be communicated by 19 July 2021. Final papers must be submitted by 10 September 2021.
While the Symposium is free to attend, registration using the booking form is required.
Acer VI Packages
To reserve your place for the PTPs and/or Symposium, complete the booking form. Registration for the PTPs or Symposium closes on 10 September 2021. The form contains further information on how to reserve your place. Group bookings are welcomed! Queries can be directed to Ninette Mwarania (nmwarania@cak.go.ke) and Irvine Manyukisa (irvinem@uj.ac.za). Course and Symposium details will be updated regularly on the ACER VI website and social media platforms (#ACERVI - Twitter: @CAK_Kenya and @CCRED_UJ).
We look forward to hosting you at the PTPs, Symposium or both!