Update: Competition Agency Clears Zain and Ooredoo Tower Venture With Conditions, and Three Other Deals

The Competition Protection Agency (CPA) has cleared four economic concentrations in Decisions 105 to 108 of 2026, published in Kuwait Al-Youm Issue 1812, pages 44 to 46, dated 11 October 2026. This follows our reports on the filings of 23 August, 30 August and 7 September 2026.

The most important is Decision 105, adopted by the CPA board on 22 September 2026. It approves the joint control of MENA Infra B.V. (Netherlands) by Ooredoo Q.P.S.C., which takes 50 percent of the shares, and Zain Infra for Modern Telecommunications Services W.L.L., a subsidiary of Mobile Telecommunications Company K.S.C.P. (Zain). Through its operating companies, MENA Infra will own the telecom towers of both groups in Kuwait and Qatar.

The approval carries two conditions. First, the parties must make the passive infrastructure sites they own or manage (the towers and related physical sites, not the active radio equipment) available to all licensed operators on fair, transparent and non-discriminatory technical and financial terms, comparable to those applied to the parties and their affiliates in similar cases. Second, the parties must give the CPA sample contracts concluded with their customers.

Three other deals were approved without conditions on 27 September 2026. Decision 106 covers My Boutique Holding (one-person company) acquiring 76 percent of Apotheca Trading W.L.L. Decision 107 covers Toyota Motor Corporation (Japan) acquiring 33.33 percent of cellcentric GmbH & Co. KG (Germany), with Volvo and Daimler Truck keeping 33.33 percent each. Decision 108 covers EQT Fund Management S.a r.l., through Isotope Bidco Limited, acquiring all of Intertek Group plc.

WEFAQ's view: other licensed operators, site owners and suppliers should read the access condition closely and be ready to ask for the terms it promises. Deal teams should plan for remedies when a transaction pools assets that rivals depend on.

Read more: for the full analysis, read our companion blog article: 'Tower Sharing With Conditions: What the Zain and Ooredoo Clearance Means for Kuwaiti Telecom Deals'.

Source: Competition Protection Agency Decisions Nos. 105 to 108 of 2026, Kuwait Al-Youm Issue 1812, pages 44 to 46, dated 11 October 2026.

This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, please contact WEFAQ Law Firm.