The World Bank has appointed Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) Director-General Wang’ombe Kariuki to its advisory panel. Key among his roles will include advising on the World Development Report 2021: Data for Better Lives publication.
“The Director-general will be part of distinguished thought leaders from across the globe contributing to the seminal annual publication which will be themed Data for Better Lives,” reads a press statement from CAK.
The 2021 World Data will examine how the changing data landscape can serve people from low and middle-income countries. It will also describe how data can drive development, market efficiency, and job creation.
Speaking on the appointment, Director-General Wang’ombe Kariuki said,
“The appointment takes cognizance of the fact that competition law enforcement has a role to play in poverty alleviation and that data is highly prized asset among companies which can be leveraged for development or socioeconomic harm.”
Wang’ombe Kariuki served on the COMESA Competition Commission Board. He is also the founding member and first chairperson of the Africa Competition Forum.
His position on the advisory is an extension of his interests and efforts geared towards developing and modernizing competition, in this case, regarding how data can influence purchasing power and choice.
“Private firms may se data to deter the entry of upcoming firms, thereby limiting or preventing competition to the detriment of the consumers, specifically eroding their purchasing power and choice,” added Wang’ombe Kariuki.
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