The University of Fort Hare (UFH) Faculty of Law has achieved a major milestone by hosting its first International Conference on Competition and Consumer Regulation (ICCCR 2025).
Held from 8 to 10 October at the East London International Convention Centre, the three-day event united academics, policymakers, practitioners, and students from around the world to explore the fast-changing landscape of competition law and consumer protection.
What Happened
Themed “Reconnect and Reboot: Embracing the Changing Structure of Competition and Consumer Regulation,” the conference examined how digital transformation is reshaping business practices, markets, and consumer rights.
Sessions covered topics such as cross-border trade, online consumer data, fair competition, and emerging digital economies. Delegates from Africa, Europe, and Asia shared insights on aligning regulation with innovation to promote equitable market access.
According to the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Mzukisi Njotini, the conference represented the continuation of an important journey.
“The ICCCR 2025 is the culmination of a journey that began with our Annual Competition Colloquiums in 2022 and 2023,” said Prof. Njotini. “Those gatherings created a platform for critical dialogue and reflection on evolving trends in competition and consumer regulation.”
Official Response
University leaders commended the Faculty of Law for expanding its international footprint and driving legal discourse beyond national borders.
They highlighted the conference as a strategic milestone in the institution’s vision to position Fort Hare as a global hub for thought leadership in law and governance.
Prof. Njotini added that the Faculty plans to continue fostering collaboration with regulators, academia, and industry, ensuring that legal education remains responsive to a rapidly changing global economy.
Community Impact
Students and young researchers who attended the conference described it as an eye-opening opportunity to engage with international experts and explore research frontiers in digital law and consumer rights.
The discussions also strengthened Fort Hare’s role in shaping policy innovation and regulatory reform within South Africa and across the continent.
With its successful debut, the ICCCR is expected to become an annual platform for advancing fair competition, informed consumers, and stronger regulatory systems in the digital era.
