BTA2023 Meta Platforms is facing fresh regulatory heat in Africa after competition authorities within the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) launched a formal investigation into recent changes to WhatsApp Business terms that could reshape the continent’s fast-growing AI landscape.
The COMESA Competition Commission confirmed it is examining updates introduced in October 2025 by Meta Platforms Ireland Limited to the WhatsApp Business Solution Terms. Regulators are assessing whether the revised rules unfairly disadvantage third-party artificial intelligence providers while preserving full integration and functionality for Meta’s own AI tools.
Focus on AI Competition
At the heart of the probe is whether the policy changes could restrict rival AI services from accessing key WhatsApp Business features — potentially consolidating market power around Meta’s in-house AI offerings.
The investigation spans 21 COMESA member states, including major digital economies such as Kenya, Egypt, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Zambia. Authorities cautioned that the move marks the beginning of a fact-finding process, not a conclusion of wrongdoing.
Stakeholders, including developers, businesses, and consumer groups, have been invited to submit written feedback before 16 March 2026.
Why This Matters for Africa’s Digital Economy
WhatsApp remains one of Africa’s most dominant digital platforms, functioning not only as a messaging service but also as a critical commerce and customer engagement tool for millions of small businesses and startups.
Industry analysts warn that if access to WhatsApp Business becomes tightly structured around Meta’s proprietary AI systems, independent developers and emerging AI startups could struggle to compete or reach customers effectively.
For many African tech founders, WhatsApp serves as a gateway to market — particularly in fintech, e-commerce, health tech, and customer service automation.
Growing Regulatory Momentum
The probe adds to mounting global scrutiny facing Meta. Across Africa, regulators have increasingly adopted a firmer stance toward major digital platforms over data governance, competition, and market dominance concerns.
The COMESA investigation signals a broader regulatory shift: African authorities are no longer passive observers of Big Tech expansion. Instead, they are actively evaluating how platform rule changes may influence competition, innovation, and consumer choice in emerging AI markets.
For Meta, the outcome could influence how it deploys AI tools across Africa. For startups and digital entrepreneurs, the case may shape the future structure of one of the continent’s most vital digital ecosystems.
