On 28 June 2022, the Saudi Council of Ministers approved the Kingdom's new Commercial Companies Law.

This update builds on our earlier analysis of antitrust enforcement by the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Competition Commission...

Merger control regimes across the Middle East and North Africa are undergoing significant transformation as competition authorities refine enforcement mechanisms and enhance procedural frameworks. The United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Kuwait each introduced substantial reforms to their merger control systems in the first half of 2026, fundamentally reshaping how cross-border transactions are reviewed and approved in these jurisdictions.

Licensing agreements occupy a structurally ambiguous position in merger control, sitting between asset acquisitions and ordinary commercial contracts.

In line with global trends Saudi Arabia has taken decisive steps toward building a comprehensive framework for personal data protection.

The Saudi General Authority for Competition (GAC) has issued new guidelines on anti-competitive agreements under the Saudi Competition Law and its Executive Regulations.

Data has become a key resource. Its collection and processing allow businesses to optimize their operations. With ever-evolving technologies and tools that allow for more effective data collection and processing regulation is becoming increasingly...

On July 1, 2024, Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Competition (GAC) released a new, fifth edition of its Merger Control Guidelines—an important update that businesses, investors, and legal advisors should carefully...

Iraq's Competition and Antitrust Council has issued its first Merger Guidelines, establishing a structured framework for merger control and restrictive commercial practices.

After amendments and postponement the new Saudi Personal Data Protection Law Saudi Arabia is scheduled to enter into force later this year.

As Morocco steps up its merger control enforcement, businesses are increasingly grappling with the country's evolving local nexus test.

Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco each employ leniency programs as critical cartel-enforcement mechanisms, but their frameworks differ significantly in structure, legal certainty, and protection from third-party claims.

The UAE Cabinet has issued Executive Regulations to the Competition Law, introducing significant procedural clarifications for merger control filings.

Since Kuwait enacted Law 72/2020, the Competition Protection Authority has significantly increased merger control and antitrust enforcement, though guidelines are still pending.

On 1 November 2023, the Saudi General Authority for Competition (GAC) announced amendments to the Saudi merger control notification threshold, adding a local turnover requirement ...

On 1 November 2023, the Saudi General Authority for Competition announced amendments to the Saudi merger control notification threshold adding a local turnover requirement as well as a minimum ...

With the new COMESA Competition and Consumer Protection Regulation, 2025 the COMESA Council of Ministers on 4 December 2025, implemented the long awaited amendments to the COMESA...

The DIFC and ADGM have each developed robust frameworks governing changes of control in financial regulated businesses.

The ECOWAS merger control regime grants the ERCA Council discretionary authority to approve anti-competitive transactions when a clear and demonstrable public interest exists. This power, analytically distinct from competition assessment, carries significant strategic implications for parties transacting across the twelve-member West African economic community.

As cross-border business and regulatory enforcement become more intertwined, competition authorities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are stepping up efforts to regulate.