The COMESA Competition and Consumer Commission (CCCC) has formally launched a high-stakes investigation into Meta Platforms Ireland Limited.

This move marks a significant escalation in the battle for digital sovereignty in Africa. At the heart of the probe is an allegation that strikes at the core of the digital economy: Meta is accused of changing its WhatsApp Business terms to systematically lock out third-party AI providers while giving its own Meta AI an unfair, monopolistic advantage. This investigation could set a precedent for how global tech giants operate within the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa.

The Gatekeeper’s Trap

The investigation, triggered by Notice of Investigation 1 of 2026, focuses on a controversial update made by Meta in October 2025. According to the CCCC, the tech giant amended the WhatsApp Business Solution Terms without consultation, effectively erecting a digital wall. These new terms reportedly exclude general-purpose artificial intelligence service providers from accessing the WhatsApp Business API. The result? A closed ecosystem where businesses are forced to rely solely on Meta’s proprietary AI tools, stifling innovation and competition from local and international rivals.

This "walled garden" strategy is a classic antitrust concern. By leveraging its dominance in the messaging space—where WhatsApp is the de facto communication infrastructure for millions of African businesses—Meta is allegedly extending that monopoly into the nascent but lucrative AI market. The CCCC argues that this behavior violates Regulation 36 of the COMESA Competition and Consumer Protection Regulations, which prohibits the abuse of a dominant position to harm competition.

• The Charge: Meta is accused of modifying terms to block rival AI engines from the WhatsApp Business API.
• The Impact: This potentially kills off third-party AI startups that rely on WhatsApp integration to serve their clients.
• The Stakes: If found guilty, Meta could face massive fines and be forced to reverse these exclusionary policies across the 21-member bloc.

A Continental Warning Shot

The timing of this probe is critical. As African businesses increasingly pivot to AI-driven customer service and automation, the platform they use becomes a kingmaker. If WhatsApp remains the primary channel for commerce, the entity that controls the AI behind it controls the future of African digital trade. The CCCC’s intervention signals that African regulators are no longer passive observers of Silicon Valley’s rule but are active enforcers of fair play.

"This is about more than just terms and conditions; it is about the right to innovate," a source close to the commission noted. As the investigation unfolds, the world will be watching to see if COMESA can succeed where other regulators have struggled: forcing a tech titan to open its gates. For now, the message to Meta is clear—access to the African market comes with non-negotiable rules.