Wang’ombe Kariuki
Senior Consultant | Nairobi
Contact
T: +254 20 503 1600
E: wangombe.kariuki@bowmanslaw.com
Overview
An Economist specialized in Industrial Organization with experience of 30 years in Public Service.
His main interests are in Competition, Trade, Economic policies and the pursuant Regulatory Regimes and their link to inclusiveness, poverty reduction and Regional Integration/Trade. His experience includes:
At National level, Wangombe was the key person in the Development of the Competition Act and thereafter operationalization of the Competition Authority of Kenya. The Authority is currently widely respected nationally, regionally and globally due to its effectiveness as a regulator.
At regional level, he played a critical role in the Development of COMESA Competition Commission’s regulatory capacity, through conducting trainings and guiding on development of the requisite regulations. Currently, as a Commissioner/Board Member, guiding the operationalization of The East African Competition Authority.
At Continental Level, he was the Founder Member and the first Chairman of the African Competition Forum (ACF). Guided various cross-border research on Competition policy, facilitated capacity building initiatives and also developed and effected various Cooperation Frameworks.
At Global level, he is considered a Thought Leader in emerging competition regulation issues. Consequently, acted as a Policy Advisor to The World Bank Group in the development of the World Development Report (WDR), 2021 – ‘Data for Better Lives”; was a Member of the International Competition Network (ICN) Steering Group Committee and was a part of the initial team to conceptualize, develop and adopt the ICN Competition Agency Procedures (CAP) Framework.
Experience
Jurisdictions worked in: Kenya
Languages Fluent in: English
Joined Public Service as junior Officer in 1992 in The National Treasury rising to lead the Development of a modern Competition law and Enforcement regime in Kenya. His career culminated being appointed as the first Director-General of the newly created Competition Authority of Kenya in 2013. A position held until 08 January 2023.
- Advised in the Development of the Authority’s 2 Strategic Plans (including the Current 3rd one), which culminated in the Authority finalizing and penalizing cartel cases in the following sectors Construction (Paint & Cement); Electricity Poles; Retail Sector; Outdoor Advertising and Steel Sector. This resulted to Substantial Consumer Savings.
- Advocated for the expunging of Government’s regulatory Obstacles in the Tea Sector and Pyrethrum sector leading to increased investments and Employment. In addition, substantial deepening of competition in the professional services has been realized.
- Advised the Government against increasing Import Duties on Clinker thereof, saving 4500 jobs in the Cement Sector while also ensuring sustenance of Competition in the Sector.
- Increased Financial Inclusion in Kenya and Growth of Digital Financial Services by Ordering the extinguishing of exclusive agreements in Mobile Money Payments; Increasing Price Transparency in the Mobile Money Payments and Transfers and also by ordering reduction of USSD charges by 90%.
- Improved Kenya’s Investment Climate by developing regulations and guidelines that created transparency and predictability in the competition enforcement process of the Authority.
- Guided in Research projects at national and regional level that guided led to Enforcement Activities.
- Advised in modernizing Competition regimes in Africa and contributed in informing regulatory approach in emerging areas, at global level;
- Attracted and retained support from credible Development Partners including The WBG; Financial Sector Deepening (FSD), among others.
AREA OF EXPERTISE
Qualifications
- Certificate in Regulation, London School of Economics, London (2007).
- Economic Regulation & Competition – City University, London (2003).
- Certificate in Anti-Monopoly Law and Policy – Japan Fair Trade Commission, Tokyo (1998).
- A (Economics & Business Studies) – Kenyatta University (1992).
Overview
An Economist specialized in Industrial Organization with experience of 30 years in Public Service.
His main interests are in Competition, Trade, Economic policies and the pursuant Regulatory Regimes and their link to inclusiveness, poverty reduction and Regional Integration/Trade. His experience includes:
At National level, Wangombe was the key person in the Development of the Competition Act and thereafter operationalization of the Competition Authority of Kenya. The Authority is currently widely respected nationally, regionally and globally due to its effectiveness as a regulator.
At regional level, he played a critical role in the Development of COMESA Competition Commission’s regulatory capacity, through conducting trainings and guiding on development of the requisite regulations. Currently, as a Commissioner/Board Member, guiding the operationalization of The East African Competition Authority.
At Continental Level, he was the Founder Member and the first Chairman of the African Competition Forum (ACF). Guided various cross-border research on Competition policy, facilitated capacity building initiatives and also developed and effected various Cooperation Frameworks.
At Global level, he is considered a Thought Leader in emerging competition regulation issues. Consequently, acted as a Policy Advisor to The World Bank Group in the development of the World Development Report (WDR), 2021 – ‘Data for Better Lives”; was a Member of the International Competition Network (ICN) Steering Group Committee and was a part of the initial team to conceptualize, develop and adopt the ICN Competition Agency Procedures (CAP) Framework.
Experience
Jurisdictions worked in: Kenya
Languages Fluent in: English
Joined Public Service as junior Officer in 1992 in The National Treasury rising to lead the Development of a modern Competition law and Enforcement regime in Kenya. His career culminated being appointed as the first Director-General of the newly created Competition Authority of Kenya in 2013. A position held until 08 January 2023.
- Advised in the Development of the Authority’s 2 Strategic Plans (including the Current 3rd one), which culminated in the Authority finalizing and penalizing cartel cases in the following sectors Construction (Paint & Cement); Electricity Poles; Retail Sector; Outdoor Advertising and Steel Sector. This resulted to Substantial Consumer Savings.
- Advocated for the expunging of Government’s regulatory Obstacles in the Tea Sector and Pyrethrum sector leading to increased investments and Employment. In addition, substantial deepening of competition in the professional services has been realized.
- Advised the Government against increasing Import Duties on Clinker thereof, saving 4500 jobs in the Cement Sector while also ensuring sustenance of Competition in the Sector.
- Increased Financial Inclusion in Kenya and Growth of Digital Financial Services by Ordering the extinguishing of exclusive agreements in Mobile Money Payments; Increasing Price Transparency in the Mobile Money Payments and Transfers and also by ordering reduction of USSD charges by 90%.
- Improved Kenya’s Investment Climate by developing regulations and guidelines that created transparency and predictability in the competition enforcement process of the Authority.
- Guided in Research projects at national and regional level that guided led to Enforcement Activities.
- Advised in modernizing Competition regimes in Africa and contributed in informing regulatory approach in emerging areas, at global level;
- Attracted and retained support from credible Development Partners including The WBG; Financial Sector Deepening (FSD), among others.
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