The paper will assess certain outcomes in the implementation of competition policy in South
Africa to address the exertion of market power unilaterally by large firms or through collusive
arrangements. Through reviewing the theoretical framework and literature linking
competition policy and barriers to entry with economic participation, the paper develops a
framework for understanding the centrality of competition legislation as a microeconomic tool
towards achieving more inclusive outcomes in the South African economy. The paper draws
on specific case studies from recent South African competition cases, impact assessment
studies, and cross-country interventions in key sectors such as telecommunications and
energy to demonstrate the role of competition policy in addressing strategic barriers to entry
and participation in key economic sectors of the South African economy.