Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 24 JUNE 2013

COMESA's Competition Commission Commences Operations

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Explore more from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

A new supra-national merger control regime for Africa comprising 19 eastern and southern African states must now be added to companies' checklist of regulatory approvals needed in global or regional transactions.

GlobalAntitrust/Competition Law
John Davies
John Davies
Thomas Janssens
Thomas Janssens
Chantal Lavoie
Chantal Lavoie

Summary

A new supra-national  merger control regime for Africa comprising 19 eastern and southern African states must now be added to companies' checklist of regulatory approvals needed in global or regional transactions. COMESA's Competition Commission opened for business on 14 January 2013 but many questions about how the new regime will work remain unanswered at this stage and are likely to add uncertainty and complexity for companies that are active in the region. Going forward, COMESA's rules on anti-competitive practices will also need to be factored into the review of business arrangements impacting on the COMESA region. Companies in the region and beyond will now need to take into account this new set of competition law rules and requirements as a part of their business transactions and compliance programmes.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

Competition Commission Proposes Revised Notification Thresholds For Small Mergers

The Competition Commission has released draft amendments to the Small Merger Guidelines, proposing significantly higher thresholds for small merger notifications. These changes aim to capture potentially anti-competitive acquisitions in digital and technology markets where target firms are acquired before generating substantial turnover or assets, but possess significant future growth potential.
South AfricaAntitrust/Competition Law
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr
Article

Why South Africa’s Draft Repair And Maintenance Guidelines Matter To Consumers

The Competition Commission of South Africa has published Draft Guidelines on Repair, Service, and Maintenance Aftermarkets that extend beyond automotive to cover electronics, appliances, medical equipment and other durable goods. The framework addresses how original equipment manufacturers may restrict competition by limiting independent service providers' access to spare parts, repair information, diagnostic tools and technical support. Market participants have until September 2026 to submit comments on th
South AfricaAntitrust/Competition Law
Adams & Adams
Adams & Adams
Video

Webinar Recording | When They Knock: Preparing For Dawn Raids Under The Competition Act (Video)

The Competition Commission's recent dawn raids in the scrap-metal sector signal a shift from policy to enforcement action. This practical webinar explores how businesses can identify collusion risks, prepare for dawn raids, and manage competitor contact under South African Competition Act provisions. The session addresses business readiness in an era where digital evidence, including AI-related records, plays an increasingly central role in competition investigations.
South AfricaAntitrust/Competition Law
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr
Article

CAC Clarifies Competition Commission's Investigative Duties And The Threshold For Non-referral

The Competition Appeal Court recently examined the extent to which South Africa's Competition Commission must investigate complaints before declining to pursue them, and whether complainants can challenge such decisions. In Nevilles Tours and Logistics v The Competition Commission, the court addressed a bus operator's allegations of predatory and excessive pricing by dominant competitors, finding the Commission's initial investigation inadequate and setting new standards for meaningful inquiry.
South AfricaAntitrust/Competition Law
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr