(3 Minutes Read)
The COMESA Competition Commission (CCC) has reinforced its role as the leading enforcer of fair competition and consumer protection in the 21-nation Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa. Presenting its progress at a press conference in Nairobi during the Commission’s 9th Annual Business Reporters Workshop, CEO Willard Mwemba highlighted a growing caseload reflecting the agency’s expanding responsibilities.
Since launching 13 years ago, the Commission has handled over 480 merger reviews, 50 restrictive business practice cases, and 60 consumer protection investigations. Mwemba said this signals the CCC’s increasing influence in ensuring competitive markets and consumer welfare across the region.
A notable case in the past year involved the conditional approval of Groupe Canal+ SA’s acquisition of MultiChoice Group Limited. The CCC found that, without safeguards, the merger might restrict competition in regional pay-TV markets, particularly in Mauritius. Conditions were imposed to prevent market dominance and protect consumers.
The Commission also imposed fines for procedural violations in merger filings. Companies penalized included Johnson Controls International (USD 8,067), Robert Bosch GmbH (USD 1), and BRED Banque Populaire (USD 28,050), underscoring the importance of compliance with notification rules.
Two major antitrust investigations involved beverage giants Diageo and Heineken, who faced accusations of anti-competitive practices. Diageo paid USD 750,000 and revised its regional distribution contracts, while Heineken settled for USD 900,000 and restructured its operations to foster competition.
In a groundbreaking ruling, the CCC penalized the Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) and beIN Media Group for unfair media rights deals. The settlement required CAF to adopt transparent tendering processes and limit exclusivity periods, with a joint penalty of USD 600,000.
The Commission also took action in Eswatini to dismantle monopolistic control in the maize seed market, opening the sector to more players and improving seed access, which Mwemba hailed as a victory for both competition and food security.
On the consumer protection front, CCC investigated airlines such as Ethiopian Airlines, Zambia Airways, and Kenya Airways for unfair practices. Ethiopian Airlines was ordered to compensate passengers misled by unclear baggage rules. Zambia Airways was fined 2% of annual turnover for mishandling delays, while Kenya Airways remains under investigation.
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Further actions included product recalls and safety alerts — from faulty Ford vehicles and hazardous cereals to defective Takata airbags — all aimed at improving regional consumer safety. Mwemba emphasized the need for thorough investigations, even if time-consuming, to ensure credibility. He also noted new partnerships with competition authorities in countries like Nigeria, Uganda, Tunisia, and Mauritius, enhancing the Commission’s enforcement reach. He concluded by reaffirming CCC’s mission to foster fair competition, build trust in regional markets, and support sustainable economic growth.
