On Monday, November 23rd, 2020, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (the Commission) issued the Merger Review Regulations (MRR) 2020 with ancillary instruments. The Merger Review Regulations 2020 establishes a composite framework for the application of rules with respect to notification and review of mergers under Part XII of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018. In addition to the Merger Review Regulations, the ancillary instruments that have also been issued include:
1. The Merger Review Guidelines (MRG) 2020 that provide guidance framework for the procedural and substantive review of notified mergers;
2. Notice of Merger Form (Form 1) with Guidance Notes that explain filing requirements for notifications;
3. Notice of Merger Form for the Simplified Procedure (Form 2);
4. Negative Clearance Form to seek clearance for transactions where parties are uncertain about the applicability of the full review jurisdiction of the Commission;
5. Guidance Notes about *gun jumping *and measures to uphold standstill obligations;
6. Notice in respect of Indicative Timeframes for Merger Notification and Review Process
7. Templates for Waiver of Confidentiality and eliciting contact information; and
8. Model Power of Attorney
Consequently, the Commission’s previous Guidelines on Simplified Process for Foreign-to-Foreign Mergers with Nigerian Component is now replaced by the new Merger Review Framework.
The Commission expresses its gratitude to all stakeholders for their valuable contributions during the process of consultation.
As a first step towards implementation, the Commission is convening a virtual Stakeholders’ Seminar in conjunction with the World Bank Group to sensitise and educate the public on the provisions of MRR 2020 and ancillary instruments. The virtual Seminar will also include participation from other competition authorities.
The Commission invites all stakeholders, including businesses, legal & financial advisers, as well as other regulators to the virtual seminar scheduled to take place as follows:
Date: Thursday, December 10 2020
Time: 2:00pm (WAT)
Participants are advised to register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sU4LL-6iR3S7-6XAmk6g-Q
All stakeholders are enjoined to participate in the forthcoming seminar. For more information, please send an email to the Commission’s designated portal at regulations@fccpc.gov.ng.
We look forward to welcoming you at the Seminar.
Babatunde Irukera
Executive Vice Chairman/ CEO
