Somalia reviews draft competition and consumer protection framework
Government, business and civil society stakeholders reviewed proposals on fair competition, consumer rights and market oversight.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry brought together government institutions, Federal Member States, businesses, civil society and other stakeholders in Mogadishu to review and validate the draft National Competition and Consumer Protection Policy and Act.
The World Bank-financed HoA DRIVE Somalia project is supporting the Ministry’s work.
Rules for fairer market conduct
The drafts address price-fixing, abuse of market power and unfair terms imposed on suppliers, including payment and trading terms that can affect pastoralists and small suppliers.
For consumers, the proposals cover unsafe products, misleading claims and rights in digital services. They set out routes to seek refunds, replacements or compensation.
Institutions to put the proposals into practice
The drafts propose an independent Competition and Consumer Protection Authority and an appeals tribunal, with phased implementation and coordination with existing regulators. They also seek alignment with competition frameworks under the AfCFTA, EAC and COMESA.
