Middle East: Antitrust/Competition Law

The Egyptian Competition Authority has issued new guidelines clarifying how existing competition law applies to digital platforms, addressing market definition challenges posed by multi-sided platforms...

Merger control regimes across the Middle East and North Africa are undergoing significant transformation as competition authorities refine enforcement mechanisms and enhance procedural frameworks. The United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Kuwait each introduced substantial reforms to their merger control systems in the first half of 2026, fundamentally reshaping how cross-border transactions are reviewed and approved in these jurisdictions.

The ECOWAS merger control regime grants the ERCA Council discretionary authority to approve anti-competitive transactions when a clear and demonstrable public interest exists. This power, analytically distinct from competition assessment, carries significant strategic implications for parties transacting across the twelve-member West African economic community.