The Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development (CCRED) in the School of Economics at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) is honoured to host three Professional Training Programmes (PTPs) at the 11th African Competition and Economic Regulation (ACER) week in-person, in Johannesburg, South Africa. 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.

Three targeted Professional Training Programmes (PTPs), which run concurrently from 31 August – 2 September 2026 will be followed by the 20th Annual Competition Law, Economics and Policy Conference of the Competition Commission and Competition Tribunal of South Africa on 3 & 4 September 2026. The conference is free, and participants can register once the authorities open registration. The PTPs, for which there is a fee (see table below), will be facilitated by leading academics, experts, and practitioners through a combination of lectures and practical hypothetical exercises to empower participants with relevant skills and knowledge in the field.

PTP 1: Core principles in Competition Economics and Policy

Addressing core areas in competition economics and policy, this PTP is targeted at early-to-mid career competition practitioners. This PTP will cover economic principles in topics in mergers, cartels, and abuse of dominance conduct. Other topical issues such as international mergers, cross-border challenges for small jurisdictions and implications for consumers, will be reviewed through assessments of key recent cases and inquiries in Southern Africa. Key economic principles in these areas will be taught along with their practical application in cases and inquiries.

PTP 2: Competition Law and Practice

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, negotiations/settlements, 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. Facilitators include those who have participated in precedent-setting decisions, processes and regulation drafting on the continent. Issues of regional competition enforcement will be addressed in light of the AfCFTA.

PTP 3: Economic Regulation and Competition

Targeted at practitioners in both the competition and economic regulation fields, including sector regulators, this PTP will cover advances in the regulation of energy in light of changing technologies such as renewable energy, as well as in telecoms markets and the interface with the expansion of financial services through mobile money. Key cases and regulatory frameworks in digital markets on the continent and globally will be introduced. The course will also specifically focus on financial analysis required in complex competition cases and in sector economic regulation.

ACER 2026 Fees and Booking

To reserve your place for your selected PTP, click here to complete the booking form. This booking does not confirm your participation in the Competition Commission and Tribunal conference. Queries for the PTPs can be directed to Seli Nthite. Tel: +27 11 559 7523. E-mail: selim@uj.ac.za