Bowmans (Law Firm)’s Post

WATCH | This year marks 25 years of #CompetitionEnforcement in South Africa: The Competition Commission South Africa was established in 1999 and has since worked to improve competition advocacy and training, build capacity and expertise, engage with local stakeholders and international competition bodies, and investigate and prosecute anti-competitive conduct. To celebrate this landmark, we have created a video series (available here: https://lnkd.in/dnExwWBA) as a prelude to the panel discussion and cocktail function we will be hosting at our Cape Town office (on Thursday, 19 September 2024) in honour of this milestone. In the third part of our series, #CompetitionLaw partners - Claire Reidy and Lital Avivi - explore the evolution of #cartelenforcement in South Africa. Claire notes that following the establishment of The Competition Commission South Africa, 'It quickly became apparent that the Commission's focus on cartel enforcement was part of a broader reform aimed at promoting competition and addressing anti-competitive practices in a post-apartheid economy.' Lital provides us with some of the Commission's high-profile cases and adds that 'The Commission's corporate leniency policy and use of #dawnraids have been effective in exposing cartels'. Watch the complete discussion here: https://lnkd.in/dyx3yub6

Thank you so much, Odie Strydom, for agreeing to share your knowledge and insights on the development of competition law and the lessons other countries can learn from Africa's experience in enforcing it. As you know, Odie is the Founder Betweenity - News for the Connected. At Betweenity, they monitor competition law developments across Africa. She, therefore, enjoys a unique vantage point consisting of “context and detail”, enabling her to discuss the inside stories of African competition agencies. To access Betweenity, follow this link. https://betweenity.online In this video, Odie addresses numerous questions such as: a. How institutional designs affect enforcement of competition law. Are African competition regimes insulated from political influence? Does a competition agency's host institution matter? b. Should competition agencies have additional mandates? c. Prioritization. d. The publication of competition agencys' investigations reasons to incentivize support and show transparency. e. The consideration of public interest in competition enforcement. Odie argues that competition agencies should cautiously learn from South Africa's public interest enforcement. This is a very pertinent question and that is why you should watch the video until the end. g. In relation to digital markets, she pointed out that any approach should be mindful of issues experienced locally. h. Lawyers should take an active role in advocacy. i. Appropriate remedies and application of leniency programs. j. The use of social media by competition agencies. k. National competition agencies' interaction with regional competition regimes and the AfCFTA. l. The extent to which competition agencies in developing countries can take into account international best practices in the enforcement of national level competition agencies. I hope you enjoy the discussion, and also share and subscribe to the Youtube channel. https://lnkd.in/dgYS3kxd

Levelling the Playing Field “Fair Competition For a Thriving Trinidad and Tobago Market Economy”   Please see attached an advertisement by the Fair Trading Commission that was published in the latest issue of the Contact Business Chamber Magazine which delves into “Resilience Redefined: Strategies for SME Sustainability”. #fairertrinidadandtobago #consumerprotection   #fairtrade #trinidadandtobago #competitionpolicy #magazine

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UK, GREAT BRITAIN, BRITAIN & ENGLAND A lot of people in Nigeria and indeed all over the world, including well travelled, elite class people often c0nfuse England, United Kingdom, Britain and Great Britain. Well, here's the way to differentiate them: England is a country just as Nigeria, and its capital is London just like Abuja is the capital of Nigeria. Great Britain is a collection of 3 countries which came together as one country and has its capital as London. Those 3 countries are: 1. England, 2. Scotland and 3. Wales. When you include Northern Ireland to these 3 countries, they become United Kingdom (union of four nations) Viz: 1. England, 2. Scotland, 3. Wales, and 4. Northern Ireland. That is why it is referred to as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Collectively, the four are taken as one country. And when this is the case, London is its capital. Note however that these four individual nations all have their own respective capitals. Accordingly, the capital of Scotland is Edinburgh, Wales is Cardiff; Northern Ireland is Belfast. England is London. Ps: Northern Ireland is not to be mistaken for the Republic of Ireland. The latter is a separate country and its capital is Dublin. Credits: NJ Camera: London Bridge. #londonbridge #knowledge #history

Such an important debate, in the context of mergers as well as market inquiries: how do we balance competition and public interest factors? Does weighing "public interest" factors too heavily risk engaging in protectionism which is at odds with fostering competition across African markets as envisaged by ACFTA? Hope you can join us in Nairobi, or virtually.

For a while, Africa has not been on the table in international arbitration matters despite having a host of disputes - all arbitrated abroad. There has been increased skills development, infrastructure and an improved knowledge gap. I am looking forward to the 11th East Africa International Arbitration Conference in Addis, under the theme 'International Arbitration in Africa: Arbitrating in a New Age". I am very pleased to be speaking and looking forward to connecting with several arbitration practitioners around the world. Have you booked you place? See you there. #internationalarbitration #arbitration #arbitrationlaw #arbitrationconference #arbitrationcourt

At least 14 countries can trade freely within East, Central and Southern Africa following ratification of a Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) Agreement that flattens the East African Community (EAC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) into a single commerce bloc. https://lnkd.in/eDkga-Pv

UK IS NOT A COUNTRY Most people think the UK is a Country on its own. That's not true. There are four countries in the UK with each having their capitals. Some often confuse England, the United Kingdom and Great Britain. England is a country just like Nigeria and its capital is London just like Abuja is the capital of Nigeria Great Britain is a collection of 3 countries which came together as one country and has its capital as London. Those 3 countries are: 1. England, 2. Scotland 3. Wales. When you include Northern Ireland to these 3 countries, they become the United Kingdom (Union of four nations) 1. England, 2. Scotland, 3. Wales, and 4. Northern Ireland. That is why it is referred to as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Collectively, the four are taken as one country. London is its capital. These four individual nations all have their own respective capitals. Accordingly, the capital of Scotland is Edinburgh, Wales is Cardiff; Northern Ireland is Belfast

This was at the heart of the just concluded Trade Mission hosted by Global African Business Association in Michigan, led by Dele K. Oye, president of NACCIMA. There was a focus on mutual benefit for all parties involved. Questions arose on why Africans aren't taking ownership of retail shops in the US and Canada, importing agro products for the huge Diaspora communities, and controlling the entire value chain. Michigan's initiation of trade with Africa directly eliminates middlemen, fostering economic growth for all stakeholders. It's about time to involve the private sector in trade negotiations, ensuring business sustainability. Excited about the business prospects emerging from this mission, anticipating a mutually beneficial relationship between Michigan and the Continent. Dele K. Oye Akindele Akinyemi O. Rerhi Onomake ABR, SRS,RCS-D™,RENE, SFR, PSA, RSPS, AHWD Victoria Akai Warren Winston, AMFB #TradeMission #GlobalBusiness #EconomicGrowth #Partnerships #MutualBenefit

The European Union (EU) and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) recently finalised the Samoa Agreement, a new framework governing their relationship. This agreement takes the place of the Cotonou Agreement, which expired in December 2020. While Nigeria actively participated in the negotiations, it is yet to sign the Samoa Agreement, primarily due to concerns about its potential conflicts with domestic law and social values. What are these considerations? We attempted to answer a few questions in this latest #policybrief . You can check it out here: https://lnkd.in/dM4fCeaz #CJIDKnowledgeProducts