Lilongwe, September 23, 2025 – The COMESA Competition Commission (CCC) has conditionally approved Groupe Canal+ SA’s acquisition of MultiChoice Group Limited (MCG), finding that the transaction could substantially lessen competition in certain pay-TV and content markets across member states. The decision, dated September 23, was published on the authority’s website on October 28.
Market Context
The merger was notified in June 2024, when Canal+ made a mandatory offer to acquire all MCG shares under South African law. The companies operate across multiple COMESA member states, including Kenya, Zambia, Uganda, Rwanda and Mauritius, where they provide pay-TV and online video services such as DStv, GOtv, and MyCanal.
The Commission observed that while the overlap between the firms is limited in most markets, their combined presence in Mauritius and other French-speaking countries could create a dominant position.
Competition Concerns
Following an in-depth assessment, the Committee for Initial Determinations (CID) concluded that the merger is likely to restrict competition in both the wholesale and retail supply of pay-TV services in parts of the Common Market, notably Mauritius, Burundi, Djibouti, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Rwanda, and Mauritius.
The CID found that Canal+ and MCG are leading suppliers of premium audiovisual content and pay-TV channels in the region. The merger would combine two major players already dominant in overlapping markets, particularly in premium sports broadcasting and subscription television.
While the Commission recognized that both firms face competition from global streaming services, it determined that barriers to entry remain high, including exclusive rights to premium content such as football tournaments and live sports.
Conditional Clearance
To resolve the identified concerns, Canal+ and MultiChoice submitted a set of binding commitments, which the CID deemed sufficient to restore competition and protect consumers.
According to the non-confidential commitments, Canal+ pledged not to terminate existing distribution agreements as a result of the merger and to maintain them for at least 36 months after implementation. Both parties also undertook not to terminate employees in the Common Market due to the transaction.
In addition, the merged group must:
- Provide beIN Sports channels and related services to third-party distributors in Mauritius under fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory conditions.
- Offer equivalent technical and security standards to any distributor seeking access.
- Maintain transparency through compliance reporting every six months for five years from implementation.
These measures, the Commission said, will ensure that pay-TV retailers and consumers retain access to premium sports and entertainment content at competitive terms.
Final Decision
The CID authorized the deal under Article 26(4) of the COMESA Competition Regulations, stating that the commitments “remedy the significant competition concerns in some relevant markets” and ensure that markets remain contested.
Source: https://comesacompetition.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/CID-Decision-Canal-MCG.pdf
