By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Policymakers, competition
experts and private-sector leaders in Kenya have called for Africa-specific
competition policies that can protect competitive markets while allowing
artificial intelligence and digital businesses to innovate, attract investment and
grow.
The issues were examined at
a Competition Law Roundtable organised by the American Chamber of Commerce,
Kenya, under the theme “Governing in the Age of AI: Competition Rules for East
Africa’s Digital Economy.”
Discussions focused on
whether existing competition-law frameworks are adequate to address emerging
challenges created by artificial intelligence and digital markets, while
avoiding regulation that could unnecessarily restrict innovation.
Participants examined the
need to balance regulatory oversight with the development of competitive and
investment-friendly digital economies that reflect the realities of East
African markets.
The discussion also
identified emerging competition concerns around access to data, digital
infrastructure, energy, water, computing resources and skilled talent.
A key issue raised was how
African countries can ensure that artificial intelligence contributes to the
development of local digital economies rather than reinforcing the continent’s
position primarily as a consumer of technologies developed elsewhere.
Participants emphasised the
need to create stronger opportunities for AI-capable small and medium-sized
enterprises and build ecosystems capable of supporting locally developed
technologies.
They also highlighted the
importance of increasing African ownership of data, intellectual property and
locally developed AI solutions as countries seek greater participation in the
global digital economy.
The panel called for
evidence-based competition policies designed around African market conditions
while maintaining incentives for innovation, investment, productivity and
economic growth.
Contributors to the
discussion included Hanningtone Amol, Partner at ALP East Africa; Hon. Florence
Sergon, Member of Parliament and member of the ICT Committee of Kenya’s
National Assembly; Francis Wang’ombe Kariuki, Senior Consultant for Competition
and Trade Policy at Bowmans; Jade Makory, Regional Advisor at the East African
Community on AI and Trade; Michael Murungi of Google’s Government Affairs and
Public Policy team for Eastern Africa; Dr Vellah Kigwiru, Competition Law
Scholar and Research Fellow at the Munich School of Politics and Public Policy
and Technical University of Munich; and Linda Bonyo, Founder and CEO of Lawyers
Hub.
The roundtable highlighted
that effective regulation will need to protect fair competition while ensuring
that African businesses, researchers and innovators have the space and
resources to develop and scale home-grown AI solutions.
