Agenda

08:00 – 09:00	REGISTRATION
09:00 – 09:20	CONFERENCE OPENING ADDRESS & WELCOME: Mondo Mazwai (Chairperson, Competition Tribunal)
09:20 – 10:00	KEYNOTE SPEECH: Honourable Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimpi (Department of Trade Industry and Competition)
10:00 – 11:00	PLENARY SESSION 1: THE IMPACT OF FRACTURING MULTILATERALISM ON COMPETITION ENFORCEMENT
Background	Following 2024’s ‘year of elections’ fracturing multilateralism and the pursuit of zero-sum mercantilist policies has now become a feature of the geo-political landscape as the US and EU seek to restore competitiveness and growth in competition with China. Already this has spilled over into competition law enforcement with threats from the US to retaliate against countries imposing restrictions on its tech companies, which has led the EU to review punitive measures they were poised to take under the DMA. It has also led to debates about whether competition policy should take a back seat to investment and industrial policy aimed at improving growth and competitiveness. At the same time, academic research and the OECD have identified competition as an essential feature of a successful industrial policy and improving competition in SA markets was one of two World Bank recommendations. This session will discuss how the changing global order may impact on competition policy and cooperation globally but also nationally.
Speakers	Moderator: Imraan Valodia, Competition Tribunal SA Panellists: Eleanor Fox (NYU), Trudi Makhaya (PEAC), Teresa Moreira (Head, Competition and Consumer Policies, UNCTAD), James Hodge (Chief Economist and Acting DC, CCSA)
11:00 – 11:30	TEA BREAK
11:30 – 12:30	PLENARY SESSION 2: THE INTEGRATION AGENDA OF AfCFTA AND THE DIRECTION FOR NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND CONTINENTAL COMPETITION POLICY
Background	Unlocking the potential of Africa’s markets for regional trade and growth is critical for the continent’s economic transformation. By enhancing intra-African trade, improving regional value chains and promoting economic integration, African nations can leverage their vast resources and emerging consumer markets to drive sustainable growth. Key to this is the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to eliminate tariffs, reduce trade barriers, and foster greater cooperation between member states. Strengthening infrastructure, harmonising regulations, and facilitating access to financing will be essential in unlocking market opportunities. With these strategic efforts, Africa can realise its full potential as a dynamic economic force in the global market. Competition policy plays a vital role by ensuring that markets remain open, fair and competitive, preventing anti-competitive behaviour that can stifle innovation and limit market access. The plenary will discuss how competition policy can ensure that African markets become more integrated in pursuit of a common market that can drive wealth across the continent.
Speakers	Moderator: Hardin Ratshisusu, Deputy Commissioner Panellists: Malick Diallo (Head Competition Division AfCFTA Secretariat), Willard Mwemba (Comesa), Rana Khoweiled (ECA), Simeon Konan Koffi (Ecowas – online participant)
12:30 – 13:30	CONFERENCE LUNCH
13:30 – 14:30	PLENARY SESSION 3: COMPETITION POLICY IN DYNAMIC GROWTH MARKETS
Background	With the growth of rapidly evolving dynamic markets such as online retail and digital financial services, Competition Authorities may need to consider more than the traditional substantive assessment of price and quality when assessing these markets. Because of the market dynamism, Competition Authorities may need to adopt nonconventional theories assessing key factors such as innovation, investment and future prices. However, dynamic markets present a challenge as concerns have been raised regarding the stringent competition regulation and the adverse effect this may have on innovation and market dynamism. The plenary will discuss how competition law can strike the right balance in dynamic markets that fosters innovation rather than hinder it.
Speakers	Moderator: Tamara Mokoka, Manager M&A Panellists: Safeera Mayet (Head of Regulatory: SAVCA), Adalberto Cauaia (Head of Legal and Litigation: Angola Competition Authority), Tshifhiwa Maumela (ICASA Councillor), David K. Kemei (Director General, Competition Authority of Kenya)
14:30 – 15:30	PLENARY SESSION 4: COMPETITION POLICY AND RE-INDUSTRIALISATION
Background	As economies around the world navigate the era of geopolitical realignment, technological transformation and green transition, the resurgence of industrial policy has re-entered the policy mainstream. Governments are increasingly deploying targeted interventions to foster strategic industries, rebuild domestic manufacturing capacity and enhance economic resilience. In this shifting landscape, competition policy faces new pressures and expectations. There is debate as to whether existing competition frameworks are flexible enough to accommodate evolving industrial realities, or if a more fundamental rebalancing between market forces and state intervention is required. This session will explore how competition policy can be aligned with national and regional industrial strategies, to support long term economic growth.
Speakers	Moderator: Thando Vilakazi, University of Johannesburg Panellists: Gregory Mofokeng (BBC Vice President), Reena das Nair (UJ), Mzwandile Masina (PC DTIC Chair – online participant), Sailesh Ramyead (ACF, Mauritius), Susan Mangole (DTIC – online participant)
15:30 – 16:00	TEA BREAK
16:00 – 17:00	PLENARY SESSION 5: COMPETITION POLICY IN FOSTERING GREATER ACCESS TO CREDIT/LOANS
Background	Financial inclusion for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is a critical issue for fostering economic growth and development, especially in emerging markets. SMEs often face significant barriers in accessing affordable financing, such as limited credit history, high interest rates, or lack of collateral. This can stifle innovation, reduce competitiveness, and hinder job creation. A robust financial inclusion framework for SMEs can empower them by improving access to diverse financial products and services, such as loans, insurance and payment systems. Competition policy can play a key role in promoting financial inclusion if there is a well-crafted balance of both competition and prudential regulation. Well-functioning financial services markets are key to long-term economic financial stability, resiliency, and growth. The plenary will explore how competition policy can reduce the cost of financing for SMEs and encourage innovation in financial products tailored to their needs whilst striking the right balance with prudential regulation.
Speakers	Moderator: Bukhosibakhe Majenge, Chief Legal Counsel/Acting Deputy Commissioner Panellists: Nthabiseng Moleko (University of Stellenbosch Business School), Magdeline Thidiela (Capitec), Maurice Nzuki (Legal Services, Competition Authority of Kenya), Amina Khan (Cenfri)
17:00 – 17:15	CONFERENCE CLOSING ADDRESS – Doris Tshepe (Commissioner, Competition Commission)

08:00–09:00	REGISTRATION
09:00 – 10:00	CONFERENCE OPENING ADDRESS & REMARKS ON IMPORTANCE OF BRICS COLLABORATION Commissioner Doris Tshepe
10:00 – 10:30	Tea Break
10:30 – 12:00	SESSION 1: COMPETITION, SUSTAINABILITY AND TRADE
	TRADE, COMPETITION AND THE GROWING FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY The mandate of Competition Authorities has grown to cover not only competition issues, but broader national policy issues such as employment, investment and national security. This is certainly true of South Africa and the Global South, but more recently the Global North has begun to elevate environmental sustainability as a “public interest” issue. Factoring in issues of environmental sustainability in merger control and enforcement has the potential to create imbalances in both trade and competition that can place developing economies at a disadvantage. For instance, prioritising sustainability can potentially be used to justify regional and global concentration and limit the ability of developing countries to enter and compete in these markets. Panellists will discuss the trend of Authorities considering sustainability factors, the potential risks for developing countries and the impact of trade barriers on national antitrust and competitiveness.
Moderator	Ms Doris Tshepe, Commissioner South Africa
Speakers	• Ms Doris Tshepe, Commissioner, South Africa • Mr Gustavo Augusto Freitas de Lima, Interim President of CADE, Brazil • Mr Wang Tiehan, Chief Inspector of Anti-monopoly SAMR, China • Ms. Rana Khoweiled, Head of the Economic Concentrations Department and Acting Head of the Investigations Department, Egypt • Mr Getinet Ashenafi Metaferiya, Head, Ethiopia • Mrs Ravneet Kaur, Chairperson, India • Mr Maxim Shaskolsky, Head, FAS Russia
12:00 – 13:00	LUNCH BREAK
13:00 – 13:15	Short presentation on outcomes/learnings of the BRICS Digital Markets Working Group Speakers: • Commissioner Carlos Jacques Vieira Gomes, CADE Brazil • Ms. Lesya Davydova, Head of the Department for International Economic Cooperation, Russia
13:15 – 14:30	SESSION 2: DIGITAL MARKETS AND AI
	THE DEVELOPMENT OF AI AND GLOBAL IMPACT ON COMPETITION In a rapidly changing world driven by fast moving and complex digital markets, the rapid development of AI technology promises to further fuel the speed and complexity of increasingly digital markets, raising a variety of concerns for competition authorities. Recent trends include strategic partnerships or vertical integration between AI leaders and big tech firms (see for instance Microsoft-Open AI) which hold the resources and cloud computing power that AI developers need. These relationships could increase the barriers to entry for new AI players and ultimately further extend the concerns of concentration and anti-competitive conduct in big tech to AI, limiting the pro-competitive and positive disruptive effects that could emerge. In this session panellists will focus on the impact and implications for BRICS and developing economies of these trends including: impeding the entry and development of new AI-based services and products; the implications of potentially reinforcing the market power and conduct of big tech; the intersection between big tech, big data and AI, and concerns around access to data; and ultimately the response and appropriate course of action for BRICS economies.
Moderator	Mr. Hardin Ratshisusu, Deputy Commissioner South Africa
Speakers	• Mr. Hardin Ratshisusu, Deputy Commissioner, South Africa • Commissioner Carlos Jacques Vieira Gomes, Brazil • Mr. Ma Zongxu, Deputy Director, Anti-Monopoly Enforcement Department Ⅱ, SAMR, China • Mr Getinet Ashenafi Metaferiya, Head, Ethiopia
14:30-14:45	Short presentation on outcomes/insights of the BRICS Pharmaceutical Working Group Speakers: • Mr. Liu Yifeng, Deputy Director, Anti-Monopoly Enforcement Department SAMR China • Ms. Anastasia Dokukina, Deputy Head of the Department for International Economic Cooperation Russia
14:45 – 15:15	TEA BREAK
15:15 – 15:30	Short presentation on outcomes/learnings of the BRICS Food Working Group Speakers: • Mr Kagiso Zwane, Senior Economist, South Africa • Mr. Alexey Ivanov, Director BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre, Russia
15:30 – 16:45	SESSION 3: FOOD AND COMMODITIES
	GLOBAL COMMODITY TRADERS AND THE IMPACT ON COMPETITION AND LOCAL ECONOMIES Increased globalisation in commodity and food markets has seen the rise of powerful global traders. A small number of global commodity traders account for a significant portion of global trade in commodities such as grains and oilseeds. There is increasing focus on the role of these traders and the impact of their practices, particularly during periods of market volatility. These firms and how they operate can have a significant impact on pricing and therefore investment decisions in local agriculture. These concerns may also be applicable to other commodities markets such as metals and minerals, energy and potentially even financial instruments. The panellists’ discussion will focus on key aspects for developing and BRICS countries, including: the extent to which key sectors such as food, agri-processing and agriculture may be exposed to the conduct of these firms; the impact on competitiveness, entry and trade; and the appropriate response from BRICS countries and their Competition Authorities.
Moderator	Mr. James Hodge, Chief Economist and Acting Deputy Commissioner, South Africa
Speakers	• Mr. James Hodge, Chief Economist and Acting Deputy Commissioner, South Africa • Commissioner Carlos Jacques Vieira Gomes, Brazil • Ms. Rana Khoweiled, Head of the Economic Concentrations Department and Acting Head of the Investigations Department, Egypt • Mr. Ashutosh Kumar, Joint Director, International Cooperation Division, India • Mr. Andrey Tsyganov, Deputy Head, FAS, Russia
18:00 – 21:00	CONFERENCE DINNER

09:00 – 09:30	KEYNOTE SPEECH Mr Ben Joubert, South Africa BRICS Sous-Sherpa
09:30 – 11:00	SESSION 1: THE INFLUENCE OF BRICS
	Background: THE BRICS AGENDA OVER THE NEXT 5 YEARS BRICS now represents around 36% of global gross national income (more than the G7, which stands at around 31%) and 46% of the world’s population (G7: around 10%). More than 40% of global oil production and more than 36% of global gas production can now be attributed to BRICS countries. As we close out the conference, the panellists will debate the direction of the BRICS group in competition regulation and policy. What are the internal focus points, and what global agenda points should the BRICS group should be driving. Moderator: Ms Doris Tshepe, Commissioner, South Africa Speakers: • Ms Doris Tshepe, Commissioner, South Africa • Mr Gustavo Augusto Freitas de Lima, Interim President of CADE, Brazil • Mr Wang Tiehan, Chief Inspector of Anti-monopoly SAMR, China • Ms Rana Khoweiled, Head of the Economic Concentrations Department and Acting Head of the Investigations Department, Egypt • Mr Getinet Ashenafi Metaferiya, Head, Ethiopia • Mrs Ravneet Kaur, Chairperson, India • Mr Maxim Shaskolsky, Head, FAS Russia • HE Safeya AlSafi, United Arab Emirates
11:00 – 11:30	TEA BREAK
11:30 – 13:30	SESSION 2: ACADEMIC CONFERENCE
	3 parallel breakaway sessions
13:30 – 14:30	LUNCH BREAK
14:30 – 16:30	SESSION 3: ACADEMIC CONFERENCE
	3 parallel breakaway sessions
16:30 – 16:45	CLOSING Commissioner Doris Tshepe

9th BRICS International Competition Conference 2025

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