The Namibian Competition Commission (NACC) and the Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development (CCRED) in the School of Economics at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), are honoured to host the 10th African Competition and Economic Regulation (ACER) Week in-person, in Windhoek, Namibia. ACER is an essential platform for competition authorities, regulators, and practitioners to share knowledge, keep abreast of key developments across the continent, and build networks for collaboration between agencies.

The week will comprise two targeted Professional Training Programmes (PTPs), which run concurrently from 29 September – 1 October 2025 and a Conference on 2 & 3 October 2025. The PTPs will be facilitated by leading academics, experts, and practitioners to empower participants with relevant skills and knowledge in the field.

ACER Week targeted professional training programmes (PTPs) are designed to capacitate professionals in the immediate and wider competition and regulation community - competition attorneys and economists, mergers & acquisitions specialists, consultants who focus on cross-border trade agreements and regulations, academics and policy makers engaged in teaching and advancing regulatory frameworks and development policy. We are pleased to introduce a brand new offering this year, targeted exclusively at decision makers and adjudicators in African competition tribunals and judiciaries, delivered by judges and (current and former) tribunal members.

PTP 1: Competition LAW & PRATICE 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.

PTP 2: ECONOMICS OF Competition 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.

Some comments from previous ACER week participants:

“Excellent content, clear and understandable presentations, great interaction with participants from other jurisdictions and interesting and engaging exercises! Keep up the good work that you are doing”

“The course is an eye-opener as it lays out the competition policy and its practical application.”

“The lecturer was great and explained concepts well. The exercises were relevant.”

“Very relevant and informative course. Presenters were fluent and had knowledge of the subject matter.”

“I was impressed by the facilitators. Kudos.”

“The course was very informative and relevant to the targeted group…”

“The course was interesting since it had two components, theoretical and practical approach to competition analysis of cases; Engaging and practical”

“I think the approach of taking real life cases and discussing them is a great idea. In addition, having facilitators who are or have done the actual work before is a great idea.”

“Well-presented and mix course. Very insightful into many markets. Good mix of theory and practice.”

Watch this space and social Media for updates on ACER 2025!

General ACER queries can be directed to Seli Nthite at selim@uj.ac.za