The role of digital platforms in promoting cartel competition law enforcement within the AFCFTA: A focus on data privacy

Abstract

Competition law preserves market competitiveness by regulating anti-competitive conduct. Competition law enforcement requires high levels of data transparency and traceability. The traditional method of competition law enforcement, which is based on document review, testimony and economic analysis, is faced with many challenges in the contemporary environment. This is particularly true in the case of cartels, which use many methods to cloak their activities. Similarly, cross-border detection of anti-competitive conduct has also proved elusive. A major reason for this is that large multinational companies use their significant resources to evade detection of their anti-competitive conduct.