Middle East: Antitrust/Competition Law

The UAE has introduced Cabinet Decision No. 105 of 2026, establishing official fees for competition law filings under Federal Decree-Law No. 36 of 2023. The fee structure includes a turnover-based calculation for merger clearance requests (0.02% of annual sales, capped at AED 150,000), flat fees for exemption requests (AED 5,000), and nominal charges for objections and grievances. These fees take effect on 29 July 2026, one day before the implementing regulation becomes operational.

The COMESA Competition Regulations 2025 introduce express recognition of ancillary restraints in merger control assessment, marking a significant shift in how transaction-related restrictions are evaluated. This development raises important questions about the scope and application of the ancillary restraints doctrine within the COMESA merger control framework, particularly regarding non-compete and non-solicitation clauses.

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...