The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Competition Commission and the East African Community Competition Authority (EACCA) have formally entered into a cooperation agreement designed to strengthen enforcement of competition and consumer protection laws spanning 29 countries across eastern and southern Africa.

The two regional bodies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to streamline coordination in handling cross-border anti-competitive practices, boost consumer safeguards, and support joint investigations.

The pact lays out a detailed framework for how the COMESA Competition Commission (CCC) and EACCA will share information, avoid regulatory duplication, and harmonise enforcement mechanisms across their overlapping jurisdictions.

The agreement also outlines a joint approach to conducting market studies and inquiries, delivering technical assistance, and enhancing capacity-building efforts across both institutions.

Dedicated focal points have been appointed by each authority to oversee the implementation of agreed priority areas through annual work plans.

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According to the EACCA’s Acting Registrar, Stellah Onyancha, the collaboration marks a critical turning point in the region’s regulatory landscape.

“I am confident that the MOU will further solidify the strong ties that already subsist between the EACCA and CCC, foster closer and more productive collaboration and enable the two agencies to contribute to the effective enforcement of their respective regional competition laws,” Onyancha said.

Onyancha also acknowledged the pivotal role CCC played in supporting EACCA since its inception in 2016, citing assistance in key areas such as induction programmes for EACCA Commissioners and technical advice on merger guidelines.

Dr Willard Mwemba, Chief Executive Officer of the COMESA Competition Commission, described the signing as the culmination of extensive engagement between the two bodies.

“It is our hope as COMESA Competition Commission that the signing of this MOU will enhance certainty to business merging within the COMESA and EAC Region, increase detection of cross-border anti-competitive practices and consumer violations, and lead to enhanced cross-border enforcement,” he said.

COMESA’s competition watchdog operates under regulations established in 2004 and oversees matters in 21 Member States, while the EACCA was formed under the EAC Competition Act of 2006 and is responsible for eight Partner States.

Notably, six of the EAC Partner States also hold membership in COMESA, underlining the significance of harmonising regulatory functions across both organisations.

By aligning their oversight and enforcement mechanisms, the CCC and EACCA hope to usher in a new era of predictability and regulatory cohesion for businesses and consumers operating across the broader East and Southern African economic corridor.