3. The W&R SETA Research Symposium, held on 18 September, 2025, brought together a dynamic mix of researchers and other stakeholders to bridge the research and practice gap, ensure that knowledge drives meaningful transformation across the sector and to foster collaboration that supports South Africa’s evolving retail landscape. Since its inception, the W&R leadership chair has completed 14 research projects focused on key industry challenges. To effectively disseminate research findings and ensure they reach the relevant stakeholders for maximum impact on the sector, Dr Semona Pilay launched a dedicated research dissemination series. Concise abstracts of each project were shared on the University’s Facebook page and LinkedIn, broadening accessibility to a diverse audience, whilst fostering active engagement and discussion. The contract concluded on 28 February 2026. Although the contract ends, the relationships, insights, and systems built in 2025 position the sector for sustained growth, innovation, and longterm transformation. Writing retreat The two-day W&R Leadership Chair Learning Session Africa by Bus: History and impact of Indian Trade Route, Zimbabwe Prof Reena das Nair Director The Centre for Competition, Regulation, and Economic Development (CCRED) focuses on research in three core themes of (i) competition, regulation and inequality; (ii) industrial development and structural transformation; and (iii) global and regional value chains. Our unique contribution derives from the intersection of these three areas which enables a deeper understanding of inclusive and sustainable economic development in Africa. Climate change and the rise of digital technology add a further layer of complexity, and importance in the African context. Building regional cooperation in Africa and supporting national and regional competition institutions is a key component of CCRED’s value proposition that cuts across all three research themes. CCRED offers a Master of Commerce degree in Competition and Economic Regulation, which is the first of its kind in Africa, targeting competition and regulation practitioners in Africa. CCRED works with networks of national and international research ACER openning_Deputy minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Namibia CENTRE FOR COMPETITION, REGULATION, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (CCRED) School of Economics 54 55 College of Business and Economics | Annual Report 2025 College of Business and Economics | Annual Report 2025
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