Tag: MergerControl

For businesses considering an acquisition, falling below South Africa’s mandatory merger notification thresholds might seem to mean one less regulatory hurdle to worry about. But that is not always the case. Recent developments show that smaller deals can still attract the attention of the Competition Commission, particularly where a transaction could affect competition or involves a business whose true value may not yet be reflected in its turnover or assets.

In the first revision since 2017, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), Parks Tau, has gazetted amendments to the merger notification thresholds and filing fees. The amendments took effect on 1 May 2026. The amendments, published on 8 May 2026, confirm the previously proposed draft thresholds and filing fees, as set out below. The changes mark a significant adjustment to South Africa’s merger control regime.

South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition published revised merger notification thresholds and filing fees under the Competition Act 89 of 1998 (Competition Act). These changes take effect on 1 May 2026. The updated thresholds raise turnover and asset values. These values determine whether a transaction qualifies as a small, intermediate or large merger. As a result, some deals previously requiring mandatory notification may now fall below the filing threshold.