Key Competition and Consumer Protection Priorities for Regional Integration in Africa - Webinar

17 June 2020

04:00 - 06:00 hrs. Live Webinar - VIRTUAL

Webinar - VIRTUAL

, Switzerland

TIME: 14:00 - 16:00 Geneva Time

Please register here.

UNCTAD will hold a webinar on “Key Competition and Consumer Protection Priorities for Regional Integration in Africa”. African states and their vision of continental integration has been on course for over 50 based on realization that political and economic independence for African countries would benefit African people’s lives. Several regional economic organizations have adopted competition rules, while both competition and consumer protection networks are actively bringing together authorities and agencies.

More recently in 2018, Governments of Member States of the African Union have pushed the integration agenda forward, by signing the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), establishing a free trade area. This effort pushes the nations of Africa to start looking inward and to examine the potential hidden in this huge market of 1.2 billion people and a GDP of over $2.5 trillion.

This webinar will explore how competition and consumer protection policies fit in the narrative of integration through cooperation that facilitates business operations in the market and promotes consumer welfare. Both policies are expected to supplement Africa integration being undertaken under the AfCFTA framework.

Regional Organizations, Member States, Informal Networks and academia,NGO and UNCTAD representatives will discuss the key issues pertaining to African integration. The webinar will be opened by Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi, Secretary-General of UNCTAD.