Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF)’s $400 Million+ broadcast investigation into its agreement with beIN Sports concludes; leading #African and #Middle #Eastern law firms played key roles behind the scenes. Meysan’s Partner Tarek Badawy, Senior Associates Salma Abdelaziz and Ismail Lamie, and Associate Aya El Far advised CAF; beIN was represented by Bowmans (Law Firm) Africa-wide competition team, including Partners Derek Lotter and Joyce Karanja.
The closure of the investigation into CAF’s agreement with beIN Sports marks the end of a series of #antitrust #investigations led by the COMESA Competition Commission (the “Commission”) against several CAF sponsorship, marketing, and broadcasting agreements with a combined value exceeding US$ 2.5 Billion.
The investigations concluded with CAF securing (i) the closure of the review of its Sponsorship Agreements; (ii) the COMESA Competition Appeals Board’s dismissal of the Committee Responsible for Initial Determination’s decision to fine CAF and Lagardere Sports (now Sportfive); and (iii) the Appeals Board’s approval of the agreements that CAF and other broadcasters reached with the Commission to ensure the uninterrupted flow of broadcasting services to consumers and stability of business in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (the “COMESA”), with CAF committing to adopt the Commission’s proposal’s regarding the award of contracts in future bidding rounds. None of the investigations resulted in a finding of breach or liability, or imposition penalties on the parties.
Background Boursa Kuwait (“Boursa”) has announced the implementation of a comprehensive regulatory and legislative framework governing bonds and sukuk, following approval by the Kuwait Capital market Authority (“CMA”) under Resolution No. 38 of 2026 dated 1 April 2026 (“CMA Resolution”), in conjunction with amendments to Boursa rulebook introduced by Boursa… Read more
Board Resolution No. 32 of 2026 - Published in the Official Gazette on 5 April 2026 - In Force Immediately Authors: Abdulwahab Sadeq (Partner), Lama Abou Ali (Counsel), Adel Alasousi (Senior Associate) and Sara Awaly (Associate) KEY TAKEAWAYS On 5 April 2026, the Kuwait Competition Protection Agency (the "CPA") published… Read more
Over the past few weeks, Dubai has introduced a series of laws that, when viewed together, signal something much broader than routine regulatory updates. This is not incremental reform. It reflects a structural shift in how regulation is conceived and enforced. The issuance of Dubai Law No. (3) of 2026,… Read more
In times of regional uncertainty, businesses often reassess their operational and financial exposure. For boards of directors, however, the legal position remains clear: geopolitical developments do not alter the duties owed by directors under UAE and Kuwait law. Under UAE Federal Decree Law No. 32 of 2021 on Commercial Companies… Read more
Subject: Risk and Claims Management in Light of Current Geopolitical Circumstances and Disruptions to Some Business Activities In light of the geopolitical developments and the ongoing war in the region, and the resulting economic and operational impacts, including the disruption of some business activities or the temporary closure of facilities,… Read more
Law No. (10) of 2026 Regulating the Digital Commerce Sector Law No. (10) of 2026 regarding the regulation of the digital commerce sector in Kuwait establishes a legal framework governing commercial activities conducted through digital and electronic platforms within the State of Kuwait. The law aims at regulating the expanding… Read more