Economic Research Southern Africa (ERSA) invites you to this two-day conference bringing together academics, policymakers, and industry experts to present and discuss competition and regulatory issues surrounding digital platforms.
The rise of digital intermediation platforms, particularly in e-commerce, has transformed traditional retail and services sectors. Likewise, the rise of social media platforms has transformed the consumption of media and news. These changes impact consumers—through access, pricing, and variety—as well as entire value chains. In South Africa, locally digital platforms compete head on with global tech companies. As such platform markets tend to support only one or two players in the long run, maintaining and supporting competition in these markets is critical. This is important not only for local platforms, but also for their many users, including especially small business users.
The competitive dynamics of these platforms have implications for international trade, foreign investment policies, labour markets, and inequality. Globally, policymakers have recognised both the opportunities and risks associated with digital platforms. The European Union, through legislation like the Digital Markets Act, has adopted an explicitly ex-ante approach to the regulation of competition in the digital economy. In South Africa, interest in these issues has also grown significantly, as evidenced by two market inquiries by the Competition Commission on digital platform markets.
Keynote Addresses
Professor Maarten Pieter Schinkel – University of Amsterdam
Professor Schinkel is a leading expert in industrial organisation and competition policy at the University of Amsterdam and a research fellow of the Tinbergen Institute. As one of the founders of the Amsterdam Center for Law & Economics (ACLE), he also holds a professorship at UvA Law School. His research spans green antitrust, cartel mechanisms, agency behaviour, and banking competition. He is a member of the Economic Advisory Group Competition Policy (EAGCP) of DG COMP and has served as Non-Governmental Advisor to the European Commission and Deputy Economic Counsel to the Dutch competition authority (ACM). He is a Fulbright fellow and member of the Royal Holland Society of Sciences and Humanities.
James Hodge – Chief Economist, Competition Commission; Acting Deputy Commissioner
James Hodge is the Chief Economist of the South African Competition Commission and an Acting Deputy Commissioner. As Chief Economist, James manages the Economic Research Bureau (ERB) within the Commission which undertakes economic research for the Commission and provides expert economic and financial expertise in investigations and litigation. As Deputy Commissioner, James chaired the market inquiry into online intermediation platforms such as eCommerce marketplaces, delivery platforms, online travel agencies, online classifieds and app stores. James is also the chair of the on-going market inquiry into the media markets and digital platforms. James was managing partner of the Competition and Regulation Economics practice at Genesis Analytics from 2005 until 2019, when he joined the Commission.
Panel Discussions
- Industry Panel
This panel discussion brings together leading industry figures to discuss perspectives on a forward-looking and country-specific approach to regulating digital platforms in South Africa with a focus on innovation and dynamic competition. The discussion will start with a talk by Prof Nicolas Petit from the European University Institute on approaches to promote dynamic competition in digital markets. - Economists’ Panel
This panel discussion will feature leading competition economists reflecting on how digital competition policy in South Africa can incorporate developments in economics and its implications for enforcement going forward.
Academic and Policy Research Sessions
ERSA has selected 12 outstanding papers for presentation across two days. Each session includes a 25-minute presentation followed by 15 minutes of audience engagement for in-depth discussion. The programme features:
- Four presentations from researchers at South Africa’s Competition Commission
- Presentations from researchers at several South African universities
- Contributions from consulting economists
- Two presentations from international universities and institutions
Register to Attend
Attendance is free of charge but strictly limited due to venue capacity. Please also note that travel and accommodation for the event are self-funded.
Important: Because space is limited, please register only if you are certain you can attend. If you register and later become unable to join, kindly notify the organising committee so that your place can be offered to someone on the waiting list.
Contact
Please direct queries to: wimpie2@sun.ac.za and cc fouche.venter@econrsa.org
Join us in Pretoria for this unique opportunity to engage with leading scholars and policymakers shaping the future of digital competition policy in South Africa.
