Kuwait Competition Law Update: New Merger Thresholds Introduced

On 5 April 2026, the Kuwait Competition Protection Authority (CPA) issued Board Resolution No. 32 of 2026, published the same day in the Official Gazette.

What’s changed?

The Resolution updates the financial thresholds that trigger mandatory prior approval for mergers, acquisitions, and other economic concentrations.
Prior CPA approval is now required if any of the following thresholds are met:

• Individual turnover threshold:
  If any party to the concentration achieves annual sales in the State of Kuwait – whether achieved directly or through branches, subsidiaries, or entities under control – exceeding KWD 1,500,000 (one million five hundred thousand Kuwaiti Dinars).
• Combined turnover threshold:
  If the combined annual sales of the parties to the concentration in the State of Kuwait exceed KWD 3,000,000 (three million Kuwaiti Dinars), provided that the company or business being acquired achieves sales in Kuwait of no less than KWD 1,500,000 (one million five hundred thousand Kuwaiti Dinars).
• Asset value threshold:
  If the value of the registered assets of the parties to the concentration in the State of Kuwait exceeds KWD 7,500,000 (seven million five hundred thousand Kuwaiti Dinars).

All thresholds are calculated using audited financial statements for the last financial year preceding the completion of the concentration.

How we can help

Our Competition team at Al Tamimi & Company regularly advises on merger control strategy, filings, and regulatory engagement—particularly for acquisitions and joint ventures.

In the past 12 months, we have handled nearly 30 merger control filings in Kuwait alone, across sectors including energy, utilities, retail, and entertainment.

For guidance on how these changes may affect your transactions, contact our key contacts.