Saudi Arabia Competition Law: Antitrust Framework and Enforcement

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Saudi competition law is the Kingdom’s antitrust and market regulation framework, covering anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominance, merger control, penalties, and enforcement by the General Authority for Competition (GAC). As Saudi Arabia’s economy diversifies under Vision 2030, credible competition enforcement helps protect consumers, investors, and fair market access.

The General Authority for Competition

The GAC was established under the Competition Law (Royal Decree M/25 of 2004, substantially amended in 2019) as the independent regulatory authority responsible for promoting and protecting competition in Saudi markets. The GAC has the authority to investigate anti-competitive conduct, review and approve or block mergers and acquisitions, impose fines and corrective measures, and issue regulations and guidelines that interpret and implement the Competition Law. The authority’s independence from sectoral ministries ensures impartial enforcement that applies equally to state-owned enterprises, private companies, and foreign market participants.

Competition-Law on SAUDI VISION 2030 Intelligence Platform

Saudi Arabia Competition Law: Antitrust Framework and Enforcement

The General Authority for Competition