The World Bank has appointed the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) Director-General Wang’ombe Kariuki to its Advisory Panel.
In a statement on Monday, December 28, that the competition boss will be part of distinguished thought leaders from across the globe contributing to the semi-annual publication which will be themed Data for Better Lives.
"The appointment takes cognizant of the fact that competition law enforcement has a role to play in poverty alleviation and that data is a highly prized asset among companies which can be leveraged for development or social-economic harm
"Private firms may use data to deter the entry of upcoming firms, thereby limiting or preventing competition to the detriment of consumers, specifically eroding their purchasing choice," Kariuki noted.
The World Development Report (WDR), which has been produced since 1978, provides in-depth analysis and policy recommendations on important aspects of development and serves as a reference point for, among others, policymakers, governments, civil societies, scholars, and multilateral organisations.
"WDR 2021 will focus on opportunities and challenges of data to improve the lives of poor people in low - and middle-income countries while trying to find a balance between data’s potential to improve lives and the risk of misuse," CAK disclosed.
The report shall also reflect on the data value chain, including data creation and collection, processing, sharing, securing access, archiving and destruction, and harnessing it to facilitate more people to participate in the digital economy and enjoy the benefits of a data-driven economy.
Kariuki has an MSc in Competition and Economic Regulation from City University, London. He has served on the COMESA Competition Commission Board and is a founder member and first chairman of the African Competition Forum (ACF).
He has also served as a commissioner in the East African Community Competition Authority.
Earlier in July 2020, Kengen MD and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rebbeca Miano officially joined the World Bank Advisory Council on Gender and Development.
She was appointed to the Advisory Council which is made up of high-level representatives from governments, the private sector, non-profit institutions and academia.
The advisory group on gender is responsible for informing the World Bank's approach to issues of gender equality in its operations around the world.
