South Africa proposes Higher merger filing thresholds and increased merger filing fees South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, acting in consultation with the Competition Commission (“Commission”), has published draft amendments to the merger filing thresholds (“Draft Threshold Notice”) as well as proposed inflation related increases to the filing fees payable in respect of notifiable transactions. The proposals are open for public comment for 30 business days from 27 January 2026 until 10 March 2026.
Key Developments The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has released an update on the licensing and supervision of Crypto Asset Service Providers (CASPs) under the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, 2002 (FAIS Act). Since the CASP licensing regime took effect on 1 June 2023, the FSCA has received 512 licence applications, of which 300 have been approved, 14 declined and 121 withdrawn following engagement with the regulator. The balance remains under review.
Melusi Dlamini joins DLA Piper's International Finance practice
The Competition Commission of South Africa (“Commission”) has published its Draft Guidelines on Minority Protections (“Draft Guidelines”), providing its view on when minority shareholder protections may amount to an acquisition of “control” and require merger control approval. Comments on the Draft Guidelines are due by 20 January 2026 at 16h30.
DLA Piper has represented South Africa's leading banks in the acquisition by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), Capitec Bank and Investec Bank of shares in the South African Bankers Services Company (PayInc, formerly known as BankServ), Africa's leading automated clearing house (ACH).