The South African Competition Commission recently released its Economic Concentration Report, which highlights patterns of concentration and participation in the South African economy. The Report includes details on the Commission’s power to launch market inquiries into highly concentrated industries, as well as its increased authority to impose structural remedies on businesses in these sectors.
Regulators view competition policy as a key driver of economic growth. Although over the past two years African competition regulators have actively engaged in efforts to address pandemic-related challenges, there has also been a general upward trend in competition policy enforcement across the continent.
In recently published analysis Competition in the Digital Economy, Baker McKenzie competition law experts identified common themes related to merger control, abuse of dominance and cartel conduct in Africa, that point to the nexus between competition regulation and the digital economy.
Baker McKenzie recently produced a comprehensive guide covering latest developments in competition law in 25 African countries. The guide, titled An Overview of Competition & Antitrust Regulations and Developments in Africa: 2021, can be downloaded here.
South Africa recently approved a tax on exported chrome, with further details still to be announced. The ferrochrome ore industry has been severely threatened in recent years, mostly due to increases in electricity tariffs. Some industry stakeholders have suggested that a special electricity tariff would be a better way to support the ailing industry, others have stated that the challenges mean they would not be able to sustain themselves, even after tax relief. And others have welcomed the reprieve that an export tax would provide. As a result, key industry stakeholders have expressed interest in collectively undertaking research to explore a more viable and consolidated approach to support the industry, but there have been difficulties from a competition law perspective.
The rise in confirmed cases of persons infected with COVID-19 globally and in South Africa has caused the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) to enforce a nation-wide lockdown for 21 days, with effect from 23:59 on Thursday, 26 March 2020 until 23:59 on Thursday, 16 April 2020. In order to…
The rise in confirmed cases of persons infected with COVID-19 globally and in South Africa has caused the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) in South Africa to enforce a nation-wide lockdown for 21 days, with effect from 23:59 on Thursday, 26 March 2020 until 23:59 on Thursday, 16 April 2020.…
In his 2020 State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted a number of government strategies geared towards improving the country’s economic trajectory. Among these were plans to restore Eskom’s operational capabilities, to remove bureaucratic hindrances currently hampering business start-ups, to invest in commuter rail and other essential…
On 17 February 2020, the Competition Commission (Commission) released a media statement announcing that it has published Draft Guidelines for the Automotive Aftermarket Industry (Guidelines). The Automotive Aftermarket Industry is the market for motor vehicle spare parts, tools and components after the vehicles are sold to consumers. This market also…
On Monday, 25 November 2019, the Competition Commission published the final report in relation to its Grocery Retail Market Inquiry. The inquiry, which officially commenced on 27 November 2015, sought to elucidate features of the grocery retail market that have resulted in reduced competition and diminished space for the participation…