South Africa’s SAMDDRA Backs Competition Commission Draft Repair Guidelines

The South African Mobile Devices Distributors and Repairers Association (SAMDDRA)  and its industry partners have backed the Competition Commission of South Africa ’s Draft Guidelines on repair, service and maintenance aftermarkets, calling for stronger partnerships between global technology manufacturers and local businesses.

The draft guidelines were published in August 2026 under Section 79 of the Competition Act 89 of 1998, as amended. SAMDDRA said the regulatory intervention could help improve fairness and transparency in South Africa’s electronics repair and distribution market, while creating greater commercial opportunities for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and reducing costs for consumers.

The association is calling on global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), including manufacturers of laptops, smartphones, tablets, electronic goods and wearable devices, to work more closely with South African industry stakeholders to address challenges across the market.

SAMDDRA said rising device prices and restrictive distribution networks have placed additional pressure on working-class South Africans. It is urging OEMs to review pricing models, address what it describes as anti-competitive bundling practices and reduce barriers to affordable mobile and electronic technology.

The association also wants OEMs to establish stronger development pathways for local SMMEs by integrating township and rural enterprises into formal technology value chains. Proposed measures include SAQA-accredited training, certified device repair networks, localised component sourcing and opportunities in secondary retail distribution.

“Digital access is no longer a luxury; it is a basic economic right. We fully support the Competition Commission’s efforts to address market distortions in the sector. However, regulatory compliance must be treated as the minimum standard. We invite global OEMs to work with us to lower consumer costs and deliberately empower South African SMMEs in the technology repair and retail sectors. Together, we can build a digital economy that excludes no one.”

– Mr Tyira, Chairperson of the Board, SAMDDRA

SAMDDRA said it and its industry partners are prepared to facilitate discussions between interested OEMs, local hardware technology startups and regulatory bodies to develop practical programmes focused on consumer affordability, local enterprise development and greater participation of SMMEs in South Africa’s technology market.