Africa: Consumer Protection

As telecommunications companies in Africa explore banking licences and payment platforms begin offering credit alongside debit services, the traditional boundaries separating banks from non-bank entities are dissolving. When does a mobile money platform cross the threshold into banking territory, and how should regulators respond when the customer journey becomes simpler but the underlying legal architecture grows more complex?

South Africa's buy-now-pay-later sector faces heightened regulatory scrutiny as the Reserve Bank flags potential household financial stress risks. As BNPL products blur the lines between payment innovation and consumer credit, the debate centers on whether current regulatory frameworks adequately address affordability assessments, bureau reporting, and consumer protection in this rapidly growing market.

Digital lending in Nigeria has revolutionized access to finance through mobile platforms offering instant unsecured loans, but this rapid growth has sparked intense debate over pricing practices and consumer protection. As regulators scrutinize high interest rates, hidden fees, and complex terms, lenders defend their models as necessary responses to elevated credit risk and operational costs. The central question remains: how can Nigeria balance innovation-driven financial inclusion with meaningful safeguar

A new video series brings the 2025 Paralegal Manual to life by showcasing community-based paralegals across South Africa as they navigate real-world legal challenges. From social grants and maintenance disputes to employment matters, these practitioners demonstrate how accessible legal assistance transforms everyday justice for communities in need.

ENS in Namibia recently hosted a trial advocacy training workshop for law students participating in the University of Namibia's annual moot court competition. Led by Adv. Deon Obbes SC...

The African Organisation of Intellectual Property (OAPI) has initiated its fourth Africa GI Training programme in Abidjan, bringing together participants from 13 member states to develop expertise in geographical indications. This capacity-building initiative combines theoretical learning with practical application to strengthen the protection and promotion of local products across the continent. The programme represents a strategic effort to leverage geographical indications as instruments for economic dev

A “NO REFUND” notice on a shop wall, receipt or website does not settle whether a business can lawfully refuse a refund in Nigeria. Under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 (FCCPA), the answer depends on the circumstances. Consumers may have statutory remedies when goods are defective, unsuitable for a disclosed purpose or materially different from the agreed description, or when a supplier fails to perform a service to the required standard.

ENSafrica's latest legal bulletin examines critical regulatory shifts across Africa, from South Africa's mandatory monthly opt-out cleansing under amended CPA rules to Rwanda's new VAT framework for cross-border digital services. The collection addresses constitutional interpretation in Ghana, AI policy governance failures, merger threshold updates, and emerging challenges in crypto regulation and prediction markets.

On 15 March each year, the global community celebrates World Consumer Rights Day.

The National Consumer Commission has published draft guidelines on compliance with opt-out requirements, with important implications for all businesses that conduct direct marketing in South Africa.

The Act received presidential assent on 19 June 2026. Its stated objectives are to establish a legal framework for the efficient economic regulation of regulated services and activities and to protect the interests of shippers, providers and users of regulated services.

The Nigerian Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has launched an investigation into the cement sector following widespread complaints about high prices. Despite Nigeria's cement production capacity exceeding 60-65 million metric tons annually while domestic consumption sits at only 25-30 million metric tons, prices rose by approximately one third in the first half of 2026, with some regions experiencing increases up to 60%.