In recent years, competition law enforcement has intensified in key emerging markets with significant developments in other developing countries. It is vital for companies to remain compliant with applicable antitrust laws and continue their commercially independent behavior. In this webinar, we provided the latest key antitrust and competition developments for the past year in emerging markets in Europe, Middle East and Africa and strategized for what is on the horizon.

The latest edition of our Competition in Africa Report offers a detailed analysis and overview of recent developments in competition law enforcement and competition policy in 32 African jurisdictions. This report also provides an overview of regulatory and legislative dynamics and challenges in selected markets.

In recent years, competition law enforcement has continued to intensify in key emerging markets in the EMEA region. In our 60-minute “quick hits” webinar, we will provide an update on the latest key competition law developments, compliance tips, and pointers on what is on the horizon. The webinar will take place on Wednesday, 10 July 2024 at 15:00 BST / 16:00 CEST for one hour.

The National Council of Provinces in South Africa has passed the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill, which aims to provide for increased electricity generation capacity and additional infrastructure in South Africa. It also establishes the duties, powers and functions of the Transmission System Operator and introduces an open-market platform for the competitive trading of electricity.

Competition authorities the world over have observably expanded their consideration of transactions from applying a purely competition-focused lens to one that incorporates the broader needs of society. Many African merger control regimes have developed a competition policy approach that balances traditional competition law considerations with public interest concerns, especially in terms of market concentration, access to competitive markets for small and medium enterprises and employment considerations.

The Competition Commission of South Africa has published the Fresh Produce Market Inquiry Terms of Reference, announcing its intention to conduct a market inquiry into the Fresh Produce Market of South Africa. The Commission has identified three broad themes for the inquiry, which will address the impediments to competition and market outcomes: the efficiency of the value chain; the market dynamics of key inputs and its impacts on producers; and the barriers to entry, expansion and participation in the fresh produce market.

In our 60-minute webinar on 14 March 2023 at 3:00pm CET, we’ll help in-house counsel and competition leaders track what to keep top of mind for 2023 in emerging markets, including Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, South Africa and Saudi Arabia. We’ll also provide practical takeaways to help navigate the new landscape.

The Competition Commission of South Africa has published revised, final guidelines on small merger notifications to more readily be able to identify small mergers and acquisitions involving digital markets. The small merger guidelines were revised due to an increased concern regarding potential anti-competitive acquisitions in the digital markets, which are potentially able to escape regulatory scrutiny. The guidelines will come into effect on 1 December 2022.

This article, written by Clara Hansen, Candidate Attorney, and Angelo Tzarevski in Antitrust & Competition Practice, Johannesburg provides details on the Draft Block Exemption Regulations (“Regulations”) for Small, Micro and SMMEsMedium-Sized Businesses (SMMEs), which were published on 31 August 2022 after consultation with the Competition Commission. The Regulations are intended to enable collaboration between SMMEs and promote the growth and participation of SMMEs in the South African economy.

Baker McKenzie’s latest Africa Competition Report (“Report”) is a collaborative effort between Baker McKenzie’s Africa-focused Competition team and its Africa Relationship Firms. The Report covers a detailed analysis and overview of recent developments in competition law enforcement and competition policy in 32 African jurisdictions and regional bodies. It considers not only recent developments in competition law enforcement and competition policy in each of the highlighted jurisdictions but also provides an overview of regulatory and legislative dynamics and challenges in selected markets.