COMESA Probes Meta Over WhatsApp Business Monopoly Concerns in Africa

WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta Platforms, is facing an Africa-wide regulatory investigation as competition authorities examine whether its business messaging platform is undermining fair market competition. The scrutiny comes from the COMESA Competition Commission, which is assessing potential abuse of dominance within member states.

The probe focuses on concerns that WhatsApp Business may be leveraging its overwhelming market penetration to entrench its position in digital communications, potentially disadvantaging rivals and limiting consumer choice. With millions of African enterprises relying on the platform for customer engagement, the outcome of the investigation could have far-reaching implications for the continent’s digital economy.

WhatsApp Business Under COMESA Probe Over Monopoly Concerns as Regulators Examine Market Dominance

The Commission is investigating whether Meta’s integration of services and control over user data may create unfair competitive advantages. Regulators are reportedly examining how business messaging tools are structured, priced and integrated within Meta’s broader ecosystem, including cross-platform data linkages. WhatsApp commands a dominant share of messaging traffic across multiple African markets, making it an essential infrastructure layer for SMEs, fintech firms and e-commerce operators. This dominance raises questions about whether competitors have a realistic pathway to scale or whether network effects are effectively locking businesses into a single platform.

Competition authorities across emerging markets have increasingly scrutinized large technology firms over alleged anti-competitive practices. In Africa, where digital transformation is accelerating, regulators are keen to prevent structural imbalances that could stifle innovation before local players mature. A Nairobi-based competition law expert notes, “Digital dominance can quickly translate into economic dominance. Regulators are right to interrogate whether platform control is being used to limit market entry or distort pricing mechanisms.”

WhatsApp Business Under COMESA Probe Over Monopoly Concerns Amid Rising Digital Regulation

The investigation reflects a broader shift toward assertive digital regulation within Africa. As cross-border digital trade expands, regional bodies such as COMESA are seeking to harmonize enforcement mechanisms and strengthen oversight of multinational technology companies.

For businesses, the probe introduces regulatory uncertainty but also signals a maturing policy environment. Many SMEs depend heavily on WhatsApp Business for customer service, payments coordination and marketing outreach. Any regulatory intervention could reshape pricing structures, data governance rules or platform interoperability standards.

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Meta has faced similar regulatory scrutiny in other global jurisdictions, particularly regarding competition, data protection and platform integration. The African investigation adds to mounting pressure on large tech firms to demonstrate compliance with fair competition principles in emerging markets. Analysts suggest that regulators will likely balance two priorities: safeguarding competitive markets while avoiding disruption to digital tools that have become foundational to small business operations.

The coming months will determine whether enforcement actions, compliance adjustments or negotiated remedies emerge from the process. Either way, the case underscores Africa’s growing willingness to assert regulatory authority over global technology giants operating within its borders.