Conference programme

Telecommunications infrastructure transactions present competition authorities with a difficult balancing act: consolidation is often necessary to fund network investment and expand connectivity, but it can also entrench market concentration. Drawing on recent transactions such as Vodacom/Maziv in South Africa, this session examines the theories of harm arising in the sector, and how authorities can weigh infrastructure consolidation against concentration concerns — with sector-specific examples and international perspectives.

The session opens with a short overview of the African Continental Free Trade Area Competition Protocol and the direction of travel on the competition side, followed by a roundtable discussion bringing together agency representatives from across the continent to share updates on key enforcement trends — including market inquiries, price discrimination investigations, digital markets and public interest considerations. The session pairs the regulators' perspective with the private practitioner’s assessment of associated risks and includes extended Q&A designed to give delegates direct and candid engagement with senior enforcers.