In anticipation of the official launch of the Independent Competition Commission of Burundi, strategic workshops supported by the COMESA Competition Commission continued on April 24, 2025, at Kiriri Garden Hotel in Bujumbura. The session brought together national and regional experts, policymakers, and key private sector stakeholders for a capacity-building program focused on anti-competitive business practices, merger regulation, and consumer protection—key components for fostering a fair and integrated regional market.
Barnabas Andiva, Principal Analyst at the COMESA Competition Commission, delivered a detailed presentation on the risks posed by anti-competitive practices in the region. He described how behaviors such as horizontal agreements—like price-fixing and market-sharing—and vertical restraints, including resale price maintenance and exclusive supply arrangements, significantly harm market dynamics. “These practices, particularly when carried out by dominant firms, limit consumer choice, inflate prices, and stifle innovation,” Andiva explained. “Competition law does not exist to protect individual businesses, but rather the competitive process itself. Only by doing so can we ensure market outcomes that benefit consumers and drive inclusive economic growth.”
He also pointed to real-world examples of enforcement. Companies such as Castel, AB InBev, and Heineken have faced scrutiny for engaging in cross-border market segmentation—a practice that directly contradicts the principles of regional integration. “When we find infringements, we act. Our response has included fines, contractual revisions, and commitments designed to restore fair competition,” Andiva added. Despite challenges such as resource constraints and the complexities of regional cooperation, Andiva affirmed COMESA’s continued commitment to building a robust competition culture. “Through joint investigations, guidance, and capacity-building, we are empowering our member states to uphold the integrity of regional markets.”
Ali Kamanga, Manager Mergers and Acquisitions at the COMESA Competition Commission, provided an in-depth overview of the merger control framework. He defined a merger as the direct or indirect acquisition of decisive influence over another entity, be it a competitor, supplier, or customer. “Every transaction that surpasses a defined financial threshold must be notified within 30 days,” Kamanga noted. “Failure to do so may result in penalties of up to 10% of the parties’ annual turnover.”
According to Kamanga, since the Commission’s inception, over 460 mergers have been reviewed—122 of them involving Burundi. “Our merger reviews assess market shares, entry barriers, and competitive pressures to determine whether a transaction would distort market competition,” he said. “If risks are identified, we can impose structural or behavioral remedies to maintain a level playing field.” Kamanga also underlined the alignment between COMESA’s regulations and Burundi’s emerging legal framework. “Burundi’s system mirrors our regional approach, ensuring consistency and predictability for businesses and regulators alike.”
Kondwani Kaonga, Manager, Economic Research, Policy, and Advocacy at the COMESA Competition Commission, addressed the importance of consumer protection as a foundation for market integrity. Drawing from historical references, she emphasized that modern consumer protection principles were first formalized by U.S. President John F. Kennedy in 1962 and later reinforced by the United Nations in 1985. “These rights—safety, information, choice, and redress—are at the heart of our mission,” Kaonga stated. “We aim to prevent harmful practices, such as misleading product claims, the sale of defective goods, and abusive contract terms.”
Kaonga emphasized the need for awareness-raising, noting that informed consumers are better equipped to hold businesses accountable. “We’re investing in media campaigns, workshops, and educational programs, working hand in hand with member states to build consumer confidence and compliance.” She also highlighted emerging challenges posed by the digital economy. “From cybersecurity threats to artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies, we’re adapting our policies to ensure that innovation goes hand-in-hand with consumer safety,” she said.
The workshop marked another milestone in Burundi’s progress toward launching its Independent Competition Commission. Through regional collaboration and capacity-building efforts, stakeholders are laying the groundwork for a regulatory body capable of enforcing competition law and protecting consumer rights in alignment with regional standards. “Strong competition and informed consumers are essential for a thriving economy,” concluded one participant representing Musumba Steel.
