Competition Commission
The Competition Commission is a statutory body responsible for investigating, controlling and evaluating restrictive business practices, abuse of dominant positions and mergers in order to promote and maintain competition in a national economy. In South Africa, the Competition Commission operates under the Competition Act of 1998 and works to ensure that markets function competitively and that consumers benefit from fair pricing and choice. The Commission has the authority to investigate complaints, conduct market inquiries and refer cases to the Competition Tribunal for adjudication. It examines proposed mergers and acquisitions to assess whether they would substantially prevent or lessen competition, and can recommend conditions or prohibitions. The body also investigates cartel conduct, price fixing, market division and other anticompetitive practices. The Commission works alongside the Competition Tribunal, which adjudicates cases, and the Competition Appeal Court, which hears appeals. It plays a central role in South Africa's competition policy framework, balancing the need for economic growth with the protection of competitive markets. The Commission's decisions can significantly affect corporate transactions, market structure and business conduct across all sectors of the economy. Since its establishment, the Competition Commission has investigated thousands of mergers and numerous cartel and abuse-of-dominance cases, shaping the competitive landscape of the South African economy.
Competition Commission Updates
Households continue to face high cost of essentials – Commission 
By: Schalk Burger 4th September 2026 The Competition Commission’s ‘2026 Cost of Living’ (COL) report shows that household budgets are under sustained pressure as electricity, water,... →
Report identifies extreme poverty, barriers to business growth in townships and rural areas
By: Schalk Burger 3rd September 2026 The Competition Commission’s '2026 Rural and Township Economy Report' finds that township and rural households continue to face severe economic... →
South African exporters now able to pursue markets together under new policy – dtic
By: Schalk Burger 2nd September 2026 South African exporters must collaborate to pursue international markets under the Block Exemption for Promotion of Exports, which provides for... →
Jurisdiction without borders? The Constitutional Court settles the test for competition authority’s jurisdiction over foreign banks
26th August 2026 For over a decade, the question of whether South Africa's competition authorities have the power to prosecute foreign companies for alleged... →
Amendment of the Small Merger Guidelines: What dealmakers need to know
21st August 2026 The Competition Commission has published draft amendments to its Small Merger Guidelines for public comment, aligning the small merger notification... →
Nene appointed Financial and Fiscal Commission chair
By: Schalk Burger 18th August 2026 President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Nhlanhla Nene as chairperson of the Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC) and Malijeng Ngqaleni as its... →
President Cyril Ramaphosa appoints members of the Financial and Fiscal Commission
18th August 2026 President Cyril Ramaphosa has, in terms of section 221 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, and section 8 of the Financial... →
High student accommodation costs making higher education unaffordable
7th August 2026 The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Mr Tebogo Letsie, has warned that the high cost of student accommodation is making... →
AfriForum calls on government to crack down on crime in the number plate industry
21st July 2026 AfriForum is calling on the relevant government departments to crack down on the large-scale crime exposed within the number plate industry. This... →
Commission recommends Tribunal approve Bidco’s acquisition of Balwin
By: Tasneem Bulbulia 14th July 2026 The Competition Commission has recommended to the Competition Tribunal that it approve the proposed transaction whereby Bidco intends to acquire... →
