The Competition Commission hosted the 3rd African Heads of Competition Authorities Dialogue (AHCAD) meeting on the theme “Working towards inclusive growth in Africa through better regulation of competition in digital markets” on 7th March 2024 at Royal Green Wellness Resort, Moka.
Mr Deshmuk Kowlessur, AHCAD Chair & Executive Director of Competition Commission (Mauritius) kicked-off the event with his welcome address. He also made an overview of the agreed objectives from AHCAD Joint Statement signed in Cairo in 2023 and the necessity for a stronger cooperation within AHCAD network.
Mr Jon Nathan, representative from US FTC, made a presentation on the US FTC’s experience and challenges on competition enforcement in Digital Market, while Ms Emily Njeri Mburu-Ndoria, Director for Trade in Services, Investment, Intellectual Property Rights at the AfCFTA, made a presentation on the recently adopted AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade.
During the second half of the day, Mr James Hodge, Chief Economist, Chair of OIPMI, and Acting Deputy Commissioner at the Competition Commission of South Africa Economic Research Bureau, shared the experience of Competition Commission of South Africa on the G7 Competition Authorities Compendium of Cases and how the tool is being used in Competition enforcement in Digital Market.
The day concluded with African Heads of Agencies discussing on how to better drive the collaboration in the AHCAD network to face challenges and priorities for Africa in the enforcement of competition in Digital Markets. An action plan for 2024 was agreed and signed off in a Joint-Statement by every Heads.
