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Middle East – Africa

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In Environment

South Africa: The latest developments in Just Energy Transition

by 7 Mins Read

At COP 27 in November 2022, South Africa launched its new Just Energy Transition Investment Plan and announced a five-year investment plan for the USD 8.5 billion financing package, which was announced as part of the country’s Just Energy Transition Partnership with France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union at COP 26. The JET IP is aligned with the Cabinet-approved National Just Transition Framework and outlines the investments required to achieve the country’s decarbonization commitments, while promoting sustainable development, and ensuring a just transition for affected workers and communities.

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In Product Regulation & Liability

Türkiye: Important amendments to the Distance Sales Regulation

by 7 Mins Read

The Regulation on the Amendment of the Distance Sales Regulation was published in the Official Gazette on 23 August 2022. Save for the provision regarding the obligation of the card issuer on refunds of the amount transferred by the seller, service provider or intermediary service provider, which will enter into force on 1 January 2023, the amendments came into force on 1 October 2022. The Ministry of Trade has made significant amendments to the provisions regarding the scope of the Distance Sales Regulation, the obligation of prior notification, the right of withdrawal, and the obligations of the seller, service provider and consumer. With the amendments, the Distance Sales Regulation has been aligned with the amendments introduced to the Consumer Protection Law on 1 April 2022.

In Sanctions

Canada Announces Additional Sanctions against Iran over Human Rights Violations

by , and 2 Mins Read

Effective 28 October 2022, Canada implemented additional sanctions against Iran due to its “ongoing gross and systematic human rights violations and continued actions to destabilize regional peace and security.” An additional four individuals and two entities have been listed under Schedule 1 of the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations.

In AML & Financial Services Regulatory

United Arab Emirates: The Dubai Financial Services Authority introduces a regulatory framework for recognized crypto tokens

by 7 Mins Read

The Dubai Financial Services Authority of the Dubai International Financial Centre had started its foray into regulating the crypto sector by introducing investment tokens in September 2021. The spotlight is now on the DFSA as it looks to make sweeping changes to its regulatory regime concerning recognized crypto tokens as of 1 November 2022.

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In Sanctions

Canada Introduces Third Round of Sanctions against Iran this Month: Additional 6 Individuals and 4 Entities Designated

by , and 2 Mins Read

On 19 October 2022, Canada announced its third round of sanctions measures against the Iranian regime in response to its “ongoing gross and systematic human rights violations and continued actions to destabilize regional peace and security.” These measures add an additional six individuals and four entities to Schedule 1 of the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations.

In Antitrust / Competition

South Africa: The Competition Commission publishes revised Guidelines on Small Merger Notifications

by and 5 Mins Read

The Competition Commission of South Africa has published revised, final guidelines on small merger notifications to more readily be able to identify small mergers and acquisitions involving digital markets. The small merger guidelines were revised due to an increased concern regarding potential anti-competitive acquisitions in the digital markets, which are potentially able to escape regulatory scrutiny. The guidelines will come into effect on 1 December 2022.

In Trade and Foreign Investment

Algeria: A new set of laws in Algeria to attract foreign investors

by and 1 Min Read

Current global geopolitical changes have opened up new prospects for Algeria. On the one hand, Algeria is being courted by Europe and redoubling its efforts to increase its energy offering to reap record profit amid high gas prices. On the other hand, additional gas revenues offer opportunities for Algeria to develop the local industry in order to reduce its dependence on imports and fossil energy in the long term, and create jobs and technological partnerships. But can Algeria effectively create a competitive and business-friendly climate to attract foreign investors?

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In Employment

South Africa: It is not a one-size-fits-all when dismissing employees involved in violent protests says the Constitutional Court

by and 4 Mins Read

The Constitutional Court in South Africa recently clarified the application of the doctrine of common purpose in the employment law context. The Constitutional Court answered the question as to whether an employer may apply the doctrine of common purpose to dismiss employees for misconduct where the employees were spectators to a violent assault during an unprotected strike. This decision has implications for employers who intend to dismiss employees for these reasons.

In Data Privacy

UAE: Abu Dhabi Department of Health requires licensed entities to comply with strict data localization requirements

by , and 4 Mins Read

On 30 June 2022, the Government of Abu Dhabi Department of Health (DoH) issued Circular No. 147 of 2022 requiring health and pharmaceutical facilities licensed by the DoH (“Licensed Entities”) to obtain a “secure” or “safe” certificate that certifies they operate in full compliance with the requirements of the Abu Dhabi Standard for Health Information Security and Cyber Security Standards (“Standards”). Licensed Entities have until the end of this year (i.e., by 31 December 2022) to complete an audit process to verify their self-certification with the Standards.
The Circular also states that Licensed Entities are urged to apply stricter cybersecurity controls, including to ensure health data is not transmitted outside of the UAE and to discontinue the use of any cloud-based services that store or utilize health data, irrespective of whether that solution is hosted within or outside the UAE.

In Tax

South Africa: Non-resident shareholders, are your shares endorsed?

by and 3 Mins Read

There are many examples of non-resident shareholders of South African companies failing to endorse their shares. This constitutes a breach of South Africa’s Exchange Control Regulations and may be subject to penalties and/or imprisonment. This endorsement should be carried out as soon as possible after the acquisition of shares, and if this was not done, it should be rectified straight away.

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