[10 November 2025]
The Commission has released a draft guidance note regarding the implementation of its Final Report. Stakeholders are invited to submit written comments to Rakshad@compcom.co.za by November 28, 2025, at 16:00. Following a review of all feedback, the Commission will publish the finalized Guidance Note.
Draft Online Intermediation Platforms Guidance Note
[31 July 2023]
The Competition Commission has released the final report for the Online Intermediation Platform Market Inquiry (OIPMI):
- Final Report and Decision
- Summary of Final Report Findings and Remedial Actions
- Annexure 1: Google Search, Shopping, and Travel
- Annexure 2: Travel and Accommodation
- Annexure 3: E-commerce
- Annexure 4: Software Application Stores
- Annexure 5: Online Classifieds Platforms
- Annexure 6: Food Delivery
- Annexure 7: Insurance Comparison Sites
- Annexure 8: General Funding
- Annexure 9: Regulations and Guidelines
- Annexure 10: Remedial Actions
- Annexure 11: Appendices of Submissions
[6 July 2023]
The completion date for the Online Intermediation Platform Market Inquiry (OIPMI) has been extended from 30 June to 31 July 2023.
[19 May 2023]
The completion date for the Online Intermediation Platform Market Inquiry (OIPMI) has been moved from 19 May 2023 to 30 June 2023.
[19 April 2023]
The completion date for the Online Intermediation Platform Market Inquiry (OIPMI) has been extended from 18 April 2023 to 19 May 2023.
[20 February 2023]
The completion date for the Online Intermediation Platform Market Inquiry (OIPMI) has been extended again from 18 February 2023 to 18 April 2023.
[8 November 2022]
The completion date for the Online Intermediation Platform Market Inquiry (OIPMI) has been extended from 18 November 2022 to 18 February 2023.
[8 August 2022]
The Commission has released a provisional report for the Online Intermediation Platform Market Inquiry (OIPMI) for public comment. Written submissions should be sent to oipmi@compcom.co.za by 17:00 on 24 August 2022.
- Provisional Summary Report
- Chapter 1: Introduction
- Chapter 2: Travel and Accommodation
- Chapter 3: E-commerce
- Chapter 4: Software Application Stores
- Chapter 5: Online Classifieds
- Chapter 6: Food Delivery
- Chapter 7: Insurance Comparator Sites
- Chapter 8: General Funding
- Chapter 9: Summary of Provisional Findings and Recommendations
- Business User Survey – Data Analysis
- Media Statement
The Commission has issued an updated timetable to incorporate feedback on the provisional report.
[12 February 2022]
The Commission has released a revised and more detailed schedule of its planned activities leading to the completion of the Online Intermediation Platform Market Inquiry (OIPMI).
[7 December 2021]
The Commission has published the second version of its report on competition in the digital economy.
This paper outlines the implementation of South Africa’s competition laws to achieve equitable outcomes in the digital economy, including the necessary regulatory environment to maximize benefits from the digital economy.
[29 September 2021]
Online public hearings on the Further Statement of Issues will take place from 2-19 November 2021.
[29 August 2021]
The Commission has released a Further Statement of Issues based on feedback from its initial Statement of Issues.
Written submissions should be sent to oipmi@compcom.co.za by 17:00 on 23 September 2021.
An online questionnaire is available on the Inquiry’s webpage to collect the views and experiences of business users of online intermediation platforms operating in South Africa.
“This Further Statement of Issues (FSOI) builds on initial insights from the first phase of information gathering, introducing additional focused issues for stakeholder input. The FSOI is accompanied by further Requests for Information (RFIs) and stakeholder engagements to deepen understanding. The inquiry process is iterative, and this FSOI provides only preliminary insights and observations. The FSOI does not limit the issues the Inquiry is considering, nor does it replace the initial Statement of Issues (SOI). Future engagements may bring other issues to light.
The Inquiry invites market participants and other interested parties to provide views and information on these additional issues. The FSOI is organized around the broad platform categories identified in the original SOI. Stakeholders are encouraged to share views on the categories with which they are familiar. There is no requirement to address every question in the FSOI. Providing reasons and evidence for views strengthens the Inquiry’s ability to consider the expressed opinions.”
[20 May 2021]
The Competition Commission officially launched its market inquiry into online intermediary platforms (OIPMI) on 19 May 2021, releasing a final Statement of Issues and an inquiry timetable.
Written submissions should be sent to oipmi@compcom.co.za by 17:00 on 18 June 2021.
Business users are also invited to complete an online survey available at Competition Commission OIPMI webpage by 18 June 2021.
[9 May 2021]
The Commission has issued a draft proposal to amend the notification threshold for small mergers.
Comments are invited within 30 days of publication, to be sent to the Mergers & Acquisitions Division of the Competition Commission of South Africa, attention Ms. Phillipine Mpane, via email: phillipinem@compcom.co.za.
[11 April 2021]
The Commission has released the final Terms of Reference for the Inquiry along with participation guidelines:
[1 March 2021]
The Competition Commission initiated a market inquiry into online intermediation platform services, releasing draft terms of reference for public comment.
Comments on the terms of reference/scope of the Inquiry should be submitted by 16:00 on 12 March 2021.
The Online Intermediation Platform Market Inquiry (OIPMI) is being conducted under section 43B(1)(a) of the Competition Act due to concerns that market features may impede, distort, or restrict competition among the platforms and undermine the Act’s purposes.
Online intermediation services include e-commerce marketplaces, software app stores, and intermediated services such as accommodation, travel, transport, and food delivery.
The Commission has previously published a report on competition in the digital economy.