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Regulating digital platforms: A comparative analysis of Kenya and South Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Karissa Moothoo Padayachie Nair

    (University of Johannesburg)

  • Reena Das Nair

    (University of Johannesburg)

Abstract

Kenya, often referred to as Africa’s “Silicon Savannah”, has rapidly evolved to become the regional digital business hub in East Africa. While Kenya’s approach to regulation has led to some market-driven competition, it faces similar competition-related challenges that many jurisdictions around the world face in the constantly evolving digital markets landscape. There have been competition concerns raised by entrepreneurs and businesses with respect to accessing markets and competing against the large domestic and global players that have already entered and taken up lead positions in Kenya’s digital ecosystem. This led to the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) introducing the Competition Amendment Bill in 2024 which is targeted at addressing platform dominance in digital ecosystems. South Africa adopted a different approach to regulating the digital economy using market inquiries as the primary tool to address potential harm to competition. The market inquiries highlighted concerns surrounding platform dominance and barriers to entry in e-commerce, amongst other concerns.

Suggested Citation

  • Karissa Moothoo Padayachie Nair & Reena Das Nair, 2026. "Regulating digital platforms: A comparative analysis of Kenya and South Africa," ERSA Working Paper Series 338, Economic Research Southern Africa.
    • Handle: RePEc:rza:ersawp:338
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    File URL: https://ersawps.org/index.php/working-paper-series/article/view/338/205
    File Function: First version, 2026
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tone Knapstad, 2024. "Digital dominance: assessing market definition and market power for online platforms under Article 102 TFEU," European Competition Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(2), pages 412-436, May.
    2. Jens-Uwe Franck & Martin Peitz, 2023. "Market power of digital platforms," Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Oxford University Press and Oxford Review of Economic Policy Limited, vol. 39(1), pages 34-46.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • L41 - Industrial Organization - - Antitrust Issues and Policies - - - Monopolization; Horizontal Anticompetitive Practices
    • K21 - Law and Economics - - Regulation and Business Law - - - Antitrust Law
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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