Econex has established itself as a leading economics consultancy in the field of competition economics, delivering in-depth reports and analysis of all aspects of competition economics to its clients. Econex has also recently expanded its Competition Practice both in terms of specialist skills and the number of economists it employs.
This practice area is headed by Dr. Nicola Theron. She has been involved in competition economics since its initial introduction in South Africa, giving evidence in the first large merger to be decided before the Competition Tribunal in 1999 (Santam and Guardian National). Subsequently, Dr. Theron has provided economic reports and given expert evidence in a number of important mergers and complaints before the Competition Tribunal. Some of these include the mergers between Primedia and Kaya FM, Phodoclinics and Protector, MTN and iTalk, and the abuse of dominance complaints against British American Tobacco SA (BATSA) and Senwes. Dr. Theron also previously served as a part time member of the Competition Tribunal.
For more information on Econex's work in competition economics, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
ECONEX COMPETITION ECONOMISTS
Rachel Jafta is a director and co-founder of Econex. She is a Professor of Economics at Stellenbosch University. She has extensive research and consulting experience in trade and competition issues, regulatory economics as well as technology management. She has also published in all these fields. Rachel holds a PhD in Economics from Stellenbosch University.
Willem Boshoff is a director of Econex and a business economist at Stellenbosch University. He specialises in the application of quantitive techniques in competition cases. Willem has contributed to the field of competition economics by publishing a range of academic papers on the application of quantitive techniques in competition cases in South Africa. His innovative work in using a new statistical technique for market definition in the Primedia merger has been recognised by leading academics in the field. He holds an MSc in Management Research with distinction from Oxford University (Said Business School) and an Mcomm (Economics) cum laude from Stellenbosch University. He is currently enrolled for a PhD (Economics) at Stellenbosch University.
Linette Ellis is a consulting economist with a specific interest in competition economics. She has written economic reports for clients such as Barloworld and Protector Health. As an expert in econometric modelling and price elasticity analysis she is often asked to provide quantitive inputs in competition economics reports. Linette was previously a senior economist for more than 10 years at the Bureau for Economic Research (BER) and holds an Mcomm (Economics) cum laude from Stellenbosch University.
Prof. Stan du Plessis, an academic associate, has given evidence in the much publicised abuse of dominance case against SAA and the large merger between Harmony Gold and Goldfields. He teaches macroeconomics, monetary economics and advanced econometrics, mainly to graduate students at Stellenbosch University and the University of Cape Town. His academic qualifications include an M.Phil (Economics) from the University of Cambridge and a PhD (Economics) from Stellenbosch University.
Johann van Eeden is an economist at Econex. He is most often involved in projects in the telecoms sector, competition economics and international trade analyses. Johann holds a Masters degree in Economics (cum laude) completed at Stellenbosch University and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and a Masters degree in Law (Economic Analysis of Law) from the University of Vienna.
econex research notes: competition economics
Research Note 17: Market definition in merger enquiries - lessons to be learnt from the aquisition of kaya fm by primedia
Research Note 12: Use of alternative concentration measures in competition economics - the partial aquisition of kaya fm by primedia
Research Note 7: market definition, substitutability and consumer harm in telecommunications
Research Note 6: Potential Competition Issues in Vertically Integrated Sectors of the SA Telecommunications Sector
Research Note 4: The Competitiveness of the SA Mobile Market - Will the Entry of Vigin Mobile Increase Competition?
Research Note 3: Quantitive Techniques in Competition Policy - The Elzinga-Hogarthy Test
Research Note 1: The Uhambo Merger - What Value did Economists Add?