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ARTICLE · 16 FEBRUARY 2026

South African Competition Commission Issues Final Guidance Note For Online Intermediation Platforms

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
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Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

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On 6 February 2026, the South African Competition Commission ("Commission") released its final Guidance Note for Online Intermediation Platforms ("Guidance Note").

South AfricaAntitrust/Competition Law
Stewart Payne
Stewart Payne
Mahlohonolo Sealetsa
Mahlohonolo Sealetsa
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On 6 February 2026, the South African Competition Commission ("Commission") released its final Guidance Note for Online Intermediation Platforms ("Guidance Note"). This followed the release of a draft guidance note for public comment on 31 October 2025.

The Commission concluded its Online Intermediation Platforms Market Inquiry in 2023. During that process, the Commission identified various types of conduct engaged in by online intermediation platforms that the Commission believed had the effect of impeding or preventing competition in online intermediation platform markets. At the conclusion of the market inquiry, a number of firms agreed to implement remedial action to address the Commission's concerns. However, these remedial actions were time-limited and specific to platforms that had participated in the market inquiry process.

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