The Centre for Competition Law and Economics participates in Economic Research Southern Africa’s research programme on digital platform competition in South Africa. This initiative examines the economics of digital platform markets and develops evidence-based policy recommendations for South African regulators and policymakers.
The programme addresses key challenges posed by digital intermediation platforms in e-commerce and services sectors, with particular attention to their impact on local start-ups, SMEs, and competitive dynamics. Research themes include platform market power, regulatory responses to Big Tech dominance, implications for international trade policy, and effects on labour markets and economic inequality. The initiative builds on findings from the Competition Commission’s market inquiries into digital platform markets.
The programme brings together researchers from South African universities and the Competition Commission to produce working papers that inform policy development. Research outputs are published in the ERSA Working Paper Series and disseminated through policy briefs to ensure findings reach regulators, policymakers, and industry practitioners. The initiative supports both theoretical analysis and empirical research on South African digital markets.
For more information please see: https://econrsa.org/events/request-for-proposals-shaping-digital-competition-policy-and-regulation-in-south-africa/