Effects of competition law on consumer welfare-evidence from Zambia

This study examined the effects of competition (antitrust) law on consumer welfare in Zambia, with a focus on market practices, pricing, and consumer protection. Aimed at promoting fair competition, competition law seeks to benefit consumers through lower prices, improved quality, innovation, and diverse choices. The research, organized around four key objectives, revealed mixed outcomes in Zambia. High market concentration often led to elevated prices and limited choices, reducing consumer welfare. While Zambia's regulatory framework aims to curb anti-competitive practices, resource constraints hinder enforcement, allowing such practices to persist. Merger controls generally preserved market competition, yet inconsistent application weakened these gains. Consumer awareness emerged as a significant factor, with informed consumers enhancing regulatory effectiveness. The findings emphasized the need for robust enforcement, an improved legal framework, and increased consumer education to maximize the benefits of competition law, better protect consumer interests, and foster competitive markets in Zambia.