The figures are fresh off the press: the European Commission published its Fifth Annual Report on the screening of foreign direct investments (“FDI”) into the European Union (“EU”) just a few days ago.[1] Like the previous editions, the Fifth Annual Report offers a statistical overview of the EU FDI framework’s activities in the previous
Five Key Points on FDI Screening in the EU Defence Sector
The war in Ukraine, and other recent geopolitical conflicts, has underscored the need for EU-based defence capabilities to scale up to face these challenges. Several EU initiatives which have sought to stimulate investment are starting to bear fruit, as the European Defence Agency recently reported record high defence spendings in the EU (€350bn for 2024, a
South Africa’s New Employment Law Framework for Dismissals: What Employers Need to Know
On 4 September 2025, the Minister of Employment and Labour published the new Code of Good Practice: Dismissal under the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (“LRA”). The Code is now in force and represents the most significant reform to South African dismissal laws in nearly three decades.
The Code consolidates and replaces both the Schedule 8:
The European Commission adopts the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework
On June 25, 2025, the European Commission adopted the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF) to promote the EU’s goals for decarbonization and competitiveness. CISAF makes permanent the relaxed State aid compatibility rules adopted under the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF). It will be in effect from June 25, 2025 until December 31,
European Commission issues first no-poach decision in labour markets, warning against the collusive risks of minority shareholdings
On 2 June 2025, the European Commission (“Commission”) fined the food delivery companies Delivery Hero and Glovo EUR 329 million for engaging into cartel conduct through agreeing not to poach each other’s employees, exchanging competitively sensitive information, and allocating geographic markets.
The decision signals increased antitrust scrutiny of labour-related arrangements between rivals and underscores the
EP Approves Draft FDI Regulation Giving Extensive Powers to EC
Introduction
On Thursday 8 May 2025, the EU took another important step towards revamping its framework to screen foreign investment, with the European Parliament adopting an amended version of the bill (the “EP Bill”, available here). That vote has now cleared the way for the next step in the legislative process: the tri-partite negotiations
UK passes emergency legislation to authorize “public interest” directions on use of British Steel assets
The UK Parliament has passed emergency legislation to enable the government to direct the use of assets of British Steel, and to take control of assets if directions are not followed.
The government’s stated intention is “continuing the support of steel production in the UK [which] involves preserving current production capacity to ensure resilience in
South Africa Introduces Mandatory e-Portal Reporting for Data Breaches
On April 7, 2025, South Africa’s Information Regulator announced a new requirement for organizations to report data breaches—referred to under local law as “security compromises”—via an online eServices Portal. The announcement marks a significant procedural shift in how companies must comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (“POPIA”), South Africa’s data protection
Five takeaways from the first court challenge to a UK NSIA Final Order
In November 2024, the UK’s High Court (the “Court”) issued its judgment on the first appeal of a Final Order (“Order”) imposed by the UK government (acting through the Secretary of State) under the UK’s National Security and Investment Act 2021 (the “NSIA”).
Under UK public law, decisions such as the Order can only be
Kenya’s AI Strategy 2025–2030: Signals for Global Companies Operating in Africa
Kenya has released its first National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2025–2030), a landmark document on the continent that sets out a government-led vision for ethical, inclusive, and innovation-driven AI adoption. Framed as a foundational step in the country’s digital transformation agenda, the strategy articulates policy ambitions that will be of interest to global companies developing,