Asmara hosts first workshop on COMESA competition law as Eritrea weighs reform options

August 18, 2025 in Business, Companies, Markets, Policy, Trade & Industry by Editor

Eritrea is weighing its options on competition and consumer protection regulation, following a sensitisation workshop organised in Asmara by the COMESA Competition Commission (CCC). The workshop, held from August 13–14, drew government officials, academics, and policy experts to deliberate on the country’s options for aligning its economic governance framework with regional and global best practice.

In his keynote presentation on the Essentials of Competition Law, Dr. Willard Mwemba, CEO of the CCC, noted that Eritrea would not be starting from scratch if it chose to enact a dedicated competition law. “There are existing provisions on unfair trade practices and unfair competition spread across Eritrean laws,” he said, adding that the country’s trade policy already expressly prohibits anti-competitive conduct. “If Eritrea was to adopt a competition law, it would join over 125 countries worldwide, 46 in Africa, and 19 COMESA Member States that have already established such laws and institutions. The CCC is fully committed to assisting Eritrea to establish a competition law and institution.”

The discussions underscored the dual importance of competition and consumer protection in ensuring that markets function efficiently and that citizens are shielded from exploitative practices. Mr. Steven Kamukama, CCC Director of Consumer Welfare and Advocacy, presented on the Fundamentals of Consumer Rights Protection, stressing that enacting a specific consumer law would guarantee rights more effectively than relying on scattered provisions. He emphasised that rights must be paired with responsibilities, and that state institutions have a central role in upholding both.

Mr. Isaac Tausha, CCC’s Chief Economist for Research, Policy and Advocacy, outlined the Opportunities and Challenges in Implementing Competition and Consumer Protection Laws in Eritrea. He observed that without a coherent law, gaps persist that limit enforcement and consumer confidence. On the other hand, a comprehensive framework could unlock benefits, from more competitive markets to enhanced investor confidence.

Other CCC officials elaborated on regional experiences and instruments. Mr. Boniface Makongo, Director of Competition, explained the benefits of COMESA’s merger control system, particularly the “one-stop shop” approach that reduces compliance costs for cross-border businesses. Ms. Meti Disasa, Registrar at CCC, discussed institutional models across jurisdictions, while Ms. Waweru, Manager of Legal Affairs in the CEO’s office, reviewed cooperation mechanisms between CCC and its 21 Member States, including adjudicative processes.

Local perspectives reinforced the case for reform. Mr. Tesfit Hagos, Unit Head for Industrial Policy and Regulation at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, outlined Eritrea’s economic and trade policy orientation, which prioritises free trade, private sector-led development, and prohibitions on unfair trade practices. Complementing this, Mr. Esayas Teklia, a lecturer at the College of Economics and Social Sciences, demystified how existing Eritrean statutes touch on unfair competition but acknowledged the absence of a unified law.

Delivering the keynote address, Guest of Honour Mr. Tadesse Weldeyohannes, Director General of Industrial Development at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, affirmed the government’s commitment to the principles underpinning competition policy. “Even though there is no specific competition law in Eritrea, there is a commitment by the government to the principles of competition law,” he said, underscoring that open competition not only promotes efficiency but also safeguards consumers. He added that regional integration is essential for Eritrea’s economic future.

The event concluded with a pledge of continued cooperation. On the sidelines, Dr. Mwemba held talks with officials at Eritrea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where both sides recognised the country’s current legal landscape and explored avenues for collaboration. The CCC committed financial and technical support to Eritrea as it considers establishing a competition authority and consumer protection regime.

The inaugural sensitisation workshop signals Eritrea’s intent to gradually align its domestic regulatory architecture with COMESA’s competition framework. For Eritrea, the decision carries weight: effective competition law could both deepen market discipline at home and enhance its credibility as a regional trading partner.