The inquiry follows claims that Meta unilaterally amended its WhatsApp Business Solution Terms in October 2025, effectively blocking external providers of general-purpose artificial intelligence (AI) services from accessing the WhatsApp Business API, while continuing to maintain access for its own AI offerings.
The move has raised concerns that Meta may be stifling competition and limiting opportunities for other AI developers to reach consumers.
“The Commission has reasonable cause to suspect that Meta holds a dominant position in the Common Market,” said Willard Mwemba, Chief Executive Officer of COMESA CCPC.
“The Commission has reasonable cause to suspect that Meta holds a dominant position in the Common Market,” said Willard Mwemba, Chief Executive Officer of COMESA CCPC.
He added that the investigation will assess whether the amendments have the object or effect of restricting or distorting competition in violation of COMESA’s Competition and Consumer Protection Regulations, 2025.
Under Regulation 36 of the framework, companies are barred from abusing a dominant market position in ways that disadvantage competitors or limit consumer choice.
Under Regulation 36 of the framework, companies are barred from abusing a dominant market position in ways that disadvantage competitors or limit consumer choice.
According to the Commission, the unilateral changes to WhatsApp Business Terms are likely to substantially lessen competition by excluding AI service providers from a critical gateway to their customers.
The Commission has invited stakeholders, including tech companies, developers, and industry experts, to submit representations by March 16, 2026. Submissions will be treated confidentially, and their input could shape how the regulatory body interprets fair market practices for digital platforms in the COMESA region.
The investigation is one of the first major tests of COMESA’s competition framework against a global technology firm.
The Commission has invited stakeholders, including tech companies, developers, and industry experts, to submit representations by March 16, 2026. Submissions will be treated confidentially, and their input could shape how the regulatory body interprets fair market practices for digital platforms in the COMESA region.
The investigation is one of the first major tests of COMESA’s competition framework against a global technology firm.
It comes amid growing regulatory scrutiny of international tech companies operating in Africa, particularly as digital services and AI solutions become increasingly central to economic development and consumer engagement.
This regional inquiry mirrors recent actions by the European Commission, which officially charged Meta in February 2026 with breaching EU antitrust rules.
This regional inquiry mirrors recent actions by the European Commission, which officially charged Meta in February 2026 with breaching EU antitrust rules.
The EU alleged that the October 2025 WhatsApp Business update effectively blocked all external AI assistants, leaving only Meta’s own AI accessible, a move that could stifle innovation and limit market entry for competitors.
Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger, is considered by regulators to hold a dominant position in messaging services markets in both Europe and Africa.
Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger, is considered by regulators to hold a dominant position in messaging services markets in both Europe and Africa.
Authorities have warned that restricting competitors’ access to WhatsApp could cause serious and potentially irreparable harm to competition, limiting consumer choice and innovation in the AI assistant sector.
To mitigate potential harm during the investigation, the Commission plans to impose interim measures aimed at preserving competition, without prejudging the final outcome of the case.
To mitigate potential harm during the investigation, the Commission plans to impose interim measures aimed at preserving competition, without prejudging the final outcome of the case.
The measures are expected to ensure that external AI providers retain access to the platform while regulatory scrutiny continues.
Industry analysts say the COMESA probe underscores the increasing regulatory focus on digital platforms across Africa.
Industry analysts say the COMESA probe underscores the increasing regulatory focus on digital platforms across Africa.
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