In an effort to keep businesses and markets safe and functioning well locally and internationally, the Namibia Competition Commission held the 2026 African Competition Forum (ACF) Biennial African conference in the capital.

The conference aims to provide a platform for dialogue focused on enhancing competition throughout the African continent.

The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Trade, Jennely Matundu highlighted that competition policy deserves a place in a broad vision for the economic development agenda as governments across Africa aim to expand productive capacity, create employment, and attract investment.

"When markets work well, businesses succeed through efficiency, innovation and responsiveness. When markets are distorted by collusion, exclusionary contact or other restrictions, opportunities shrink. Consumers may pay more, smaller businesses may struggle to enter or expand, and economic benefits may become concentrated. This is why competition policy deserves a place in our broad economic development agenda. As governments across Africa, our ambitions include expanding productive capacity, creating employment, attracting investment and increasing the value we derive from our resources."

As trade and investment between the regions continues to grow, she stated that institutions need clearer roles to avoid unnecessary barriers that block businesses from trading freely while upholding healthy competition, building markets that support relevant development opportunities for suppliers, service providers, and smaller enterprises.

"We must consider whether capable firms have a fair opportunity to compete for contracts, whether access to essential services is equitable, and whether market conditions allow new businesses to grow. These considerations apply across Africa, which needs investment as well as markets that enable such investments to generate sustainable returns. Clear rules, consistent enforcement and transparent public decision-making are essential to building business confidence."

 The two-day conference will conclude with the election of a new committee for 2027 until 2029, which will guide the forum for the next phase.