As Africa’s competition regulators become more sophisticated and numerous countries strengthen their competition laws, businesses need a law firm that understands the changing world.
An increasing number of African jurisdictions and regional economic communities have enacted competition laws and consumer welfare provisions to adapt to the realities of a global marketplace. Cross-border merger and inbound investment activity is increasing in the continent’s key growth markets, and Africa’s rapidly evolving merger control environment has become more significant and increasingly sophisticated.
Regulatory regimes at national, regional and community level in many parts of Africa require a multi-layered approach to merger approval; ALN’s sharp analysis of the relevant merger control regulation and its application to individual deals is key to achieving successful outcomes. We are also well-versed in the development of regulation of prohibited practices in many countries.
As cross-border trade develops on the Continent, corporations with regional or continental reach or ambition need to be aware of these developments as the market rules are changing rapidly but not always in a coordinated way.
Principal Areas of Practice:
- Compliance
- Consumer protection
- Investigations and dawn raids
- Leniency and exemption procedures
- Merger notification
- Prohibited practices
Representative transactions include advising:
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Equity Group Holdings
In connection with obtaining regulatory approvals from the central banks, COMESA Competition Commission, capital markets authorities and security exchanges in the respective jurisdictions, in relation to their acquisition of 62% of share of Banque Populaire du Rwanda and 100% of African Banking Corporation in Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique, from Atlas Mara.
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Gulf African Petroleum Corporation
In connection with obtaining competition approvals from the Competition Authority of Kenya and the COMESA Competition Commission in relation to its sale of the entire issued share capital to Total Outre-Mer.
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SABMiller
In connection with its merger notification filings in relation to both its joint venture with Coca-Cola and its merger with Anheuser-Busch InBev.
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CDC Group
In connection with its merger notifications to the Competition Authority of Kenya, Tanzania’s Fair Competition Commission and the COMESA Competition Commission in relation to its USD 140 million equity investment for 40.65% of the issued share capital in ARM Cement.
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Emerging Capital Partners
In connection with provision of competition law advice in relation to the sale of its stake in Java House, East Africa’s leading coffee-led casual dining chain in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania, to Abraaj Group, a leading investor operating in growth markets.
