Harmonisation and integration in Africa - the case of competition law and policy

This chapter examines the process of harmonization of competition law and policy in Africa in the context of economic integration under the AU through its adoption of the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area. The chapter undertakes a comparative examination of the various stages of development of competition laws and authorities across Africa. It identifies the role of AU institutions and law in harmonizing competition principles across overlapping memberships of the different Regional Economic Communities, as well as the diversity among the domestic competition frameworks which have already been developed on the African continent. The chapter concludes by assessing the various options and recommendations for harmonizing competition policy and integrating competition law in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement under the aegis of the AU.