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…

Download publication Antitrust law in Africa is growing at a rapid rate with the introduction of laws and regulations, increase in memberships to regional antitrust bodies and ramped-up enforcement by domestic and regional regulators. Since the beginning of 2018, domestic competition legislation has been enacted in Angola and Nigeria, and…

An extensive set of competition law amendments has been in the making since December 2017 when the Competition Amendment Bill (Bill) was initially gazetted for public comment.  Since then (and robust public participation and commentary aside), the key features of the Bill have predominantly made their way into the Competition…