MBABANE – The Eswatini Competition Commission (ESCC) faced a number of structural and operational challenges during 2025 that constrained its ability to fully execute strategic initiatives.
According to the 2025 Annual Report of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, the commission’s performance during the year was affected by inadequate financial resources, delays in legislative reform, skills shortages in specialised competition fields and heavy reliance on merger notification fees as a key revenue source.
These constraints limited the regulator’s capacity to implement strategic programmes and recruit specialised personnel needed to enhance enforcement of competition law in the kingdom.
Despite the challenges, the commission continued implementing its mandate to regulate markets, investigate anti-competitive conduct and promote consumer welfare.
During the 2025/26 reporting period, the commission focused on enforcing competition law, merger control, consumer protection, market investigations, support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and public awareness on competition and consumer rights.
These interventions are aimed at promoting fair competition and enhancing consumer welfare while contributing to economic growth.
The commission undertook several enforcement and investigative activities during the reporting period.
Among the notable interventions was the completion of an investigation into the private healthcare market, following public concerns regarding possible abuse of dominance.
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