Photo: Mr. Boniface Makongo, Director Competition, COMESA Competition Commission giving his speech during the 9th Annual Competition and Economic Regulation (ACER) Week held at Sarova Stanley Hotel on October 17, 2024.
The 9th Annual Competition and Economic Regulation (ACER) Week and the 11th Annual Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) Symposium held today, brought together experts from various sectors to address the growing challenges in competition law enforcement.
Boniface Makongo, delivering remarks on behalf of the COMESA Competition Commission CEO Dr. Willard Mwemba, highlighted the fruitful collaboration between COMESA, the Competition Authority of Kenya, and the University of Johannesburg’s Centre for Competition and Economic Regulation (CCRED). “Our three institutions have been working closely to enhance competition law enforcement across the COMESA region. This partnership has been instrumental in equipping enforcers with the necessary knowledge and skills,” he said.
Makongo underscored that the symposium marked the culmination of three days of intensive learning and knowledge-sharing. He noted that the collaboration has already borne fruit, including a joint project with the Competition Commission of South Africa (CCSA) under the International Competition Network (ICN). The project addresses competition challenges in agriculture and food markets, particularly in developing countries. “Developing countries, which heavily rely on agriculture, are deeply affected by market power, resulting in high consumer prices and increased costs for farmers,” Makongo emphasized.
Further, Makongo pointed out that studies conducted under the African Market Observatory Project, in collaboration with COMESA Member States, focused on critical commodities such as maize, soybean, rice, and fertilizers. “These studies are part of our broader efforts to address competition concerns in Africa’s agricultural sector, which remains a backbone for many economies,” he added.
Makongo also mentioned that 19 of the 21 COMESA Member States have now adopted competition laws, stressing the importance of events like ACER Week. “These annual events contribute significantly to knowledge and experience sharing, which is crucial for building stronger competition and consumer protection frameworks,” he said.
Photo: Mr. David Kemei, Director-General, Competition Authority of Kenya.
CAK Director-General David Kibet Kemei, who recently took office, reinforced the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors in shaping competition policies. “Success in regulating markets requires collective efforts. The originators of this symposium recognized the need for collaboration, and this event provides us with the perfect platform to engage with key stakeholders,” Kemei noted.
Kemei praised the symposium’s tradition of generating actionable policies, citing the Retail Sector Code of Practice and Leniency Guidelines as examples of successful outcomes.
[…] Read:https://kenyadailypulsenews.wordpress.com/2024/10/17/comesa-cak-and-ccred-collaborate-tackle-competi…The 1990s marked a major milestone for World Vision with the introduction of Area Development Programmes (ADPs), a holistic approach that integrates health, education and economic initiatives to sustainably empower communities. By aligning with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, World Vision has made a lasting impact in areas such as education, child protection and sanitation, benefiting countless families.Today, World Vision’s water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiatives have provided more than two million people with access to clean water, reduced waterborne diseases, and increased school attendance by 35%. Its focus on sustainable livelihoods has supported more than 500,000 smallholder farmers, helping them achieve food security and economic stability. “Our success is measured not just in dollars invested, but in dreams unlocked, potential realised and communities transformed,” said Kamanga.Stories of resilience shared at the event illustrated the transformative impact of World Vision’s work. Kamanga spoke of a young girl in Baringo who escaped female genital mutilation to pursue her education, and a farmer in Turkana who, thanks to agricultural training, now produces enough food to feed his family and the community.These stories illustrate the profound and lasting difference that World Vision has made in countless lives.As Kenya continues its journey towards a future free from child exploitation, partnerships like the one between the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and World Vision will play an essential role in creating a safe, healthy and empowering environment for every child. The celebration of World Vision’s 50th anniversary in Kenya is a testament to the power of collaboration in building resilient communities and supporting the dreams of Kenya’s future generations. […]