Through these ongoing initiatives, the COMESA Competition and Consumer Commission continues to advance consumer protection, ensure fair competition, and foster a robust and reliable market environment across the COMESA region.
The COMESA Competition and Consumer Commission (the Commission) is a regional regulatory body established under Article 6 of the COMESA Competition Regulations. Its primary mission is to promote competition and enhance consumer welfare across the COMESA Common Market by preventing restrictive business practices and other actions that could negatively impact trade within the region.
A key focus of the Commission is consumer protection and product safety. It actively monitors products in the market and issues warnings to safeguard consumers. Recent alerts include the recall of the Dark and Lovely Precise Diamond Hair Straightener due to the presence of 1,2-diaminobenzene, a chemical that can trigger allergic reactions. The Commission has also raised concerns over certain peanut butter brands, such as Eat’n Go Ltd, because of aflatoxin contamination, and cautioned against Spring Valley and Saylva products for potential safety risks. These initiatives demonstrate the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that goods supplied within the Common Market meet established safety standards.
The Commission also plays a critical role in maintaining fair competition through the review of mergers and acquisitions. Recent examples include the acquisition of M-KOPA Holdings Limited by M-KOPA (Luxembourg) and Uvanni Holding Limited by African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM). Beyond reviewing transactions, the Commission provides technical assistance to Member States, such as Malawi, helping them harmonize national competition laws with regional regulations and strengthen market fairness.
Regional collaboration and advocacy form another pillar of the Commission’s work. It frequently partners with national competition authorities, including the Fair Competition Commission of Tanzania, to improve enforcement and facilitate cooperation. The Commission also conducts educational workshops and seminars for judges, legal practitioners, and other stakeholders to enhance understanding of competition law in the regional context. On the international front, it represents the COMESA region in forums like the UNCTAD Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Competition Law and Policy, sharing best practices and aligning regional policies with global standards.
In recent strategic developments, the Commission held a regional workshop for judges from COMESA Member States to discuss the judiciary’s role in enforcing competition and consumer protection laws. Additionally, it has signed multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with national authorities to enable joint investigations, promote information sharing, and strengthen regional cooperation.
Through these ongoing initiatives, the COMESA Competition and Consumer Commission continues to advance consumer protection, ensure fair competition, and foster a robust and reliable market environment across the COMESA region.
