Luanda: The Angolan capital, Luanda, will host a significant training seminar on October 14th and 15th for Commercial Competition Authorities of Portuguese-Speaking African Countries (PALOP). This event will bring together experts from South Africa, Brazil, Portugal, and representatives from the United Nations and the European Commission.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the seminar aims to deepen technical and institutional cooperation between the Competition Authorities of Angola, Cape Verde, and Mozambique. It focuses on promoting the exchange of best practices and economic regulation policies within the Portuguese-speaking world. This initiative is organized by the Angolan Competition Regulatory Authority (ARC).
Over the course of three days, participants will enhance their knowledge of investigation techniques related to collective practices, abuse of dominant positions, and control of business concentrations. The seminar also seeks to foster cooperation among countries and raise awareness about the Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) protocol on competition policy.
During the opening ceremony, ARC administrator Nelson Lembe highlighted the strategic importance of the seminar. He emphasized its main objective of sharing experiences and best practices with international partners, particularly in investigating anti-competitive practices and controlling business mergers.
Lembe also noted that this activity reflects ARC’s commitment to strengthening cooperation within formal multilateral platforms like the AfCFTA and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Additionally, informal forums such as the International Competition Network, the African Competition Forum, and the Lusophone Competition Network are part of ARC’s collaborative efforts, along with bilateral ties with Portuguese and Brazilian authorities.
“The entry into force of the African Continental Free Trade Area represents a historic milestone for us,” Lembe stated, emphasizing the importance of a free, integrated, and competitive economic environment aimed at inclusive and sustainable growth. He mentioned that the protocol on Competition Policy in AfCFTA’s Phase II underscores the need to consolidate technical and institutional capabilities to prevent anticompetitive practices, aligning with Angola’s efforts in strengthening its competition policy.
Lembe acknowledged the value of such capacity-building initiatives, highlighting their role in joint learning and institutional development. The seminar will cover various topics, including defining economic impacts, investigation tools and methodologies, and identifying anticompetitive practices and best practices.