NAIROBI – From this Wednesday 06 – Friday 08 December, influential leaders from government, business, and civil society arrive in Nairobi to discuss the policy, good practice, and accountability needed to protect consumers globally at the Consumers International Global Congress 2023.
The Global Congress is held every four years and is the pivotal event for those committed to improving the lives of consumers.
In 2023, its theme is “Building a resilient future for consumers”. It covers four cross-cutting areas of digital futures, fair finance, sustainable consumption, and strengthening consumer protection worldwide.
The program indicates that His Excellency Rigathi Gachagua, E.G.H Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya will officiate at the opening, an indication of how seriously the government takes consumer rights issues.
Representing Uganda on a high-level panel on the day is the Consumer centers team leader – Henry Kimera Richard. This comes at a time when the government of Uganda is working on legislation to introduce competition and consumer protection to Uganda’s economy.
Hitherto Kimera served as CEO, the Uganda Consumers Protection Association; he was a member on the Committee on World Food Security; Member, the Bank of Uganda Governor’s Financial Consumer Protection Consultative Group and Financial Literacy Advisory Group.
Over 300 attendees are expected to take part in Consumers International’s Global Congress 2023, the only international event which joins the leading consumer organizations – those mandated to protect consumer rights – together with government, business, civil society and academia.
In Nairobi, leaders will address the top issues facing consumers including the cost of living, sustainable consumption, energy transitions, food systems, digital rights and the future of finance.
“As we enter 2024, climate and post-pandemic crises will continue to harm both planet and people in the marketplace. The Global Congress provides a unique opportunity to share a vivid picture of the global consumer experience and to build and action solutions that make a difference for people,” said Helena Leurent, Director-General, Consumers International.
The event is being held for the second time in Africa in partnership with the Competition Authority of Kenya and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Competition Commission. For three days over 20 panel debates, workshops and plenaries will include senior representation from Kenyan, African, and global decision-makers.
The event will explore topics such as the measures policymakers and businesses need to take to help people manage the cost of living, have access to essential needs, live more sustainably, to switch to clean energy, and to know that the food they eat has been sourced sustainably and is healthy. It will explore modern marketplace issues such as how consumers can be protected and seek redress in an age of AI and cross-border data flows.
Eminent speakers at the Global Congress include: Shaka Kariuki Chairman, Competition Authority of Kenya; Willard Mwemba, Director and Chief Executive Officer, COMESA Competition Commission, Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, Commissioner, Federal Trade Commission (USA); Bob Hedges, Chief Data Officer, Visa; and Gilly Wong, Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong Consumer Council.
Joint calls and new global initiatives will be launched which unite the consumer movement, government and business to prevent scams, deliver a better food system, enable effective redress, and amplify the consumer voice in international dialogue. New consumer insight will be released to pinpoint the top consumer issues for the coming year, and good practice case studies will be shared on practical and business model innovations in global energy and finance systems.
Dr Adano Roba, Acting Director General, Competition Authority of Kenya said, “We are proud to support the Global Congress, bringing delegates together from around the world to discuss pressing issues affecting consumer welfare. We look forward to sharing our experience in promoting consumer welfare both nationally and regionally as we work towards common solutions with leaders in attendance.”
Dr Willard Mwemba, Director and Chief Executive Officer, COMESA Competition Commission said,
“The hosting of the Congress in Africa demonstrates the commitment both COMESA and increasingly the continent attaches to matters of consumer protection and welfare. The event provides a bedrock to enhance the demands needed from marketplace actors and strengthen competition as a win-win for consumers and economies.”
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