Malawi Hosts Inaugural Judicial Workshop on Competition Law

The Judiciary, in collaboration with the COMESA Competition Commission, is from today holding the inaugural Judges’ Capacity Building Workshop on Competition Law. The workshop, which is being attended by Justices of Appeal and Judges of the High Court, has also been graced by Chief Justices from Zimbabwe and Zambia, as well as judges and legal experts from other COMESA Member States, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

In his opening remarks, Chief Justice of the Republic of Malawi, Rizine Robert Mzikamanda SC, said the workshop has come at a pivotal moment for Malawi, following the recently established Judiciary Training Institute that is aimed at advancing continuous professional development among judges. He described the workshop as a direct reflection of the Judiciary’s commitment to continuous learning.

“The professional skill that the ideal judge must possess is the ability and the willingness to learn at all times. This includes continually updating oneself in the knowledge of the law and where to find the law as a matter of priority,” said Chief Justice Mzikamanda.

Addressing the relevance of competition law, Chief Executive Officer for the COMESA Competition Commission, Willard Mwemba, emphasised the need for collaboration between the Commission and the Judiciary on competition law to ensure free and fair competition within the region. According to Mwemba, the Judiciary plays a critical role in ensuring that competition authorities remain accountable in implementing competition laws and that the laws are applied fairly and transparently. He further noted that the training will enhance awareness of the Commission’s regulations, which he said will contribute to more effective enforcement of competition law at the regional level.