It has been reported that the East African Competition Authority (EACA) has begun operations and is currently undertaking sector and market studies to assess the competitiveness of the regional economy. While it remains to be seen when the EACA will begin to accept merger notifications, the news that the authority is now operational indicates that this is a development to closely monitor.
The East African Community's Member States are Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan and Uganda. At this stage, only Kenya and Tanzania have actively enforced competition law regimes and operational competition authorities.
This development highlights the expanding reach of competition law across the continent, and companies doing business in Africa need to remain cognisant and compliant.
Read more