The Role of the Competition Regulatory Authority in Defending and Promoting Competition in Angola
Abreu Advogados hosted the first webinar in a series dedicated to recent developments in the enforcement of competition policy across Portuguese-speaking countries, under the theme “A New Era of Competition in Angola”, featuring Nelson Lembe, Board Member of the Competition Regulatory Authority of Angola (ARC).
The session, held on 24 September, was moderated by Maria João Melícias, Co-Head of Competition, Regulation and European Union at Abreu Advogados, and Tatiana Serrão, Partner at FBL Advogados, Abreu Advogados’ partner firm in Angola. The discussion provided an opportunity to reflect on the strategic priorities of the ARC, the main challenges facing competition policy, and the tools available to the Angolan authority.
Established around seven years ago, the ARC has played a central role in safeguarding and promoting an open and competitive market economy in Angola. During the discussion, Nelson Lembe highlighted key topics such as sectors excluded from the full application of competition rules, the challenges of state participation in companies, and the role of competition law in the ongoing privatisation process.
The conversation also addressed the implementation of compliance programmes, efforts to reduce review timelines in merger control, and the experience with leniency programmes.
The session further emphasised the importance of the ARC’s participation in the International Competition Network (ICN) and in regional forums, reinforcing the authority’s commitment to international cooperation and the alignment of its practices with global competition standards.
Highlights:
00:00 – Intro
08:00 – ARC’s Strategic Priorities
19:40 – Main Challenges for the ARC
22:00 – Competition Policy Across All Sectors
25:20 – Challenges of State Participation in Companies
33:00 – The Role of the ARC in Angola’s Privatisation Context
37:00 – Competition Compliance Programme
42:30 – Merger Control Review Timelines
48:00 – Leniency or Immunity Programmes
53:20 – Participation in the ICN (International Competition Network)
56:40 – Sectors with the Most Sanctioning Decisions
59:30 – Regional Cooperation
