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Primerio

John Oxenham

Partner
South Africa
+27 (0)11 083 2413

John is the Founder and Managing Partner of Primerio. He has practiced in the regulatory, commercial litigation and antitrust fields locally and across the African region for over 25 years.

He has been a partner at a major South African law firm, co-founder of a South African practice, and founder of the Primerio Pan-African legal group.

John is a regular author and speaker who has published numerous papers and opinion pieces locally and internationally.

Professional association

  • Advisor to the Board and member of the council to the Institute for Small Markets Law and Economics (ISLE) Research Institute
  • Member of the Small Economies Forum
  • Sole African advisor to Business at OECD in relation to the OECD Competition Committee
  • Vice Chair of the American Bar Association Antitrust Law Section Comments Committee (formally the ICPC)
  • Non-Governmental Advisor to French Polynesia in respect of the International Competition Network (ICN)
  • African lead attorney for American Bar Association Section of Antitrust Law Task Force into ‘Procedural Transparency’
  • Sole South African representative of FraudNet, the International Chamber of Commerce’s Anti-Crime arm, in relation to commercial crime and asset recovery
  • African Regional Representative on the IBA’s Anti-Corruption Committee
  • Member of the International Chamber of Commerce’s Competition Committee and co-lead for the ICC’s Task Force on Small Economies and Competition
  • Faculty member of the American Bar Association Antitrust Sector
    Member of the ICN Advocacy Working Group’s Competition Benefits Project
  • Currently co-editor to the Competition Law Insights “Africa column”

Practice area

  • Competition Law & FDI 
  • Corporate and commercial 
  • White collar crime 
  • Contentious Regulatory 

Accolades

  • Best Lawyers South Africa Competition Law: 2009 – 2025
  • Recognised by the Legal 500 for EMEA Competition
  • Chambers & Partners Competition Law in South Africa 2010 – 2025
  • Lexology  Index: Recommended in Asset Recovery 2019 – 2024
  • Lexology Index: Recommended in Competition 2011 – 2024
  • Lexology Index: Thought Leader – GIR (Asset Recovery) 2024
  • Lexology Index: Recommended in Real Estate
  • Who’s Who Legal Thought Leader – Africa (Asset Recovery) 2024
  • Corporate INTL Regulatory Lawyer of the Year in South Africa – 2024
  • Corporate INTL Commercial Litigation Lawyer of the Year in South Africa – 2024
  • Global Law Expert for Competition Law South Africa 2021
  • Lexology Index: Thought Leaders: GIR – Asset Recovery 2021.
  • Finance Monthly Global Awards – Cartels Lawyer of the Year South Africa 2019
  • Global Investigations Review 100 – Rated for Global Investigations
  • 2019 International Advisory Experts
  • IFLR Leading Lawyer International Advisory Experts
  • Lawyer Monthly – Asset Recovery Lawyer of the Year South Africa
  • Leaders in Law – 2021 Global Awards for Competition Expert of the Year in South Africa
  • Which Lawyer? Yearbook Euromoney’s Guide to the World’s Leading Competition and Antitrust Lawyers/Economists.
  • International Who’s Who of Asset Recovery Lawyers
  • International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers
  • Mondaq Thought Leaders – Antitrust/Competition Law South Africa, Spring 2025
  • Concurrences Reader’s Choice – 2025 Antitrust Writing Awards
  • Global Competition Review 100 2025 Rankings
  • Leading Practitioner in Competition Law 2025 – Lexology Index: Competition 2025 report (Who’s Who Legal) in association with Global Competition Review (GCR)
  • Best Lawyers in Competition/Antitrust Law, Litigation and Regulatory Practice – 17ᵗʰ edition of The Best Lawyers in South Africa
  • Winner of Lexology Index’s Client Choice Award 2026 for Competition Lawyer in South Africa

Significant cases

  • Is currently representing a global automotive parts producer before the South African Competition Tribunal, Competition Appeal Court and subsequently the South African Constitutional Court in relation to allegations of price fixing and market allocation.
  • Successfully advised Toyota Motor Corporation and Hino Motor Limited in obtaining merger approval before the South African Competition Commission in respect of Hino Motors Limited and Mitsubishi Fuso Truck Corporation.
  • Currently advising an international security company in respect of the enforcement of a foreign arbitration award and in contested proceedings regarding the ownership and attachment of funds held in South African bank accounts.
  • Successfully advised the Interpublic Group of Companies in obtaining merger approval before the South African Competition Commission.
  • Successfully represented Single Destination Engineering in obtaining access to records of a company in liquidation. Reportable judgment accessible here.
  • Successfully representing Oryx Energies before the Competition Tribunal in relation to the cylinder deposit investigation.
  • Advised parties in the acquisition of a large listed German entity of a listed German entity active in the chemicals market before the competition agencies in South Africa, Morocco and Zimbabwe.
  • Advised foreign multinational parties both active in the plastics market before the competition authorities in South Africa, Nigeria, COMESA and Morocco.
  • Providing advice to the parent company of an acquirer in relation to a breach of the COMESA Competition Regulations for failure to notify.
  • Assisting parties in relation to Sika AG’s acquisition of MBCC Group through providing external opinions in relation to the acquisition, the South African merger filing and ancillary advice regarding filings in other jurisdictions.
  • Successfully opposing an abuse of dominance complaint on behalf of a significant player in the telecom infrastructure sector, which ultimately led to a non-referral.
  • Advised a multinational FMCG firm against allegations of abuse of dominance in relation to a refusal to deal and exclusionary conduct complaint involving plant breeders’ rights.
  • Advising an FMCG client in relation to investigations and market inquiries before the Eswatini Competition Commission.
  • Continuing to counsel several clients across multiple sectors in relation to formal and informal sector specific initiatives by the South
  • African Competition Commission including the LPG, fresh produce and grocery retail market inquiries as well as in relation to the South African Competition Commission’s Code of Conduct in the automotive aftermarkets sector.
  • Successfully representing a private equity fund in its acquisition of a global chemicals manufacturer before the COMESA Competition Commission.
  • Advised Eutelsat SA in its acquisition of OneWeb Holdings Limited before the South African Competition Commission.
  • Advised a large South African cryptocurrency exchange regarding the cryptocurrency regulatory framework in numerous African jurisdictions and he subsequent establishment of local entities in those favourable jurisdictions.
  • Represented a major international parent company in the broader life sciences sector in acquiring a controlling interest in one of the top three pharmaceutical wholesalers in Southern Africa and in doing so ensured the successful conclusion of share purchase agreements with 300 individual shareholders.
  • Represented several corporations and individuals in relation to criminal investigations ranging from self-reporting obligations (such as section 34 reports) to defending persons implicated in allegations of complex cross border fraud and money laundering.
  • Obtained an interdict against the suspension of a license granted by a government institution and currently advising on the scope of powers of the government institution.
  • Representing Conservatorium/Centerbridge in civil proceedings in South Africa following the Steinhoff share price collapse (in what was the largest civil claim instituted in South Africa).
  • Obtained merger approval from the Nigeria Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission in relation to Providence Equity Partner’s proposed acquisition of Marlink.
  • Representing a fibre company in relation to several proceedings before the South African competition authorities.
  • Advising a client in relation to the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into State Capture in South Africa.
  • Successfully advised Premier FMCG in obtaining merger approval in relation to its acquisition of Mr Sweet from Lodestone brands in South Africa, Eswatini, Namibia and Botswana.
  • Representing Takata Corporation before the Competition Tribunal in relation to price fixing and market allocation complaint referrals.
  • Assisted an international non-profit organisation repatriate funds from following fraudulent wire transfers.
  • Assisted Eris Properties with project development advice in Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi and South Africa.
  • Advising parties before the current Judicial Commission of Inquiry headed by Judge Raymond Zondo into allegations of State Capture.
  • Advised Premier FMCG in obtaining merger approval in Swaziland re its acquisition of Swazi Mahewu.
  • Assisting a major international airline in relation to its regulatory and competition affairs across Africa including an exemption application.
    Assisted a chemicals company in relation to competition law matters in Ethiopia.
  • Assisted a major automotive OEM in relation to various commercial and regulatory matters in Southern Africa.
  • Advised the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and Innovative Pharmaceutical Association South Africa on litigation in relation to various litigation brought by SECTION 27.
  • Advising Premier Foods in the precedent setting fist ever class action damages litigation for cartel conduct before the Supreme Court of Appeal, the Constitutional Court, the North Gauteng High Court and the Western Cape High Court, following Premier Foods Limited obtaining the first ever final immunity from prosecution in the much-publicised bread cartel (thus avoiding any antitrust administrative penalty) and the ongoing civil damages litigation.
  • Successfully advised Nu Metro Filmed Entertainment (Pty) Ltd, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Disney Enterprises, Inc., Warner Bros Entertainment Inc. Videovision Entertainment (Pty) Ltd and Universal Studios before the Cape High Court and Supreme Court of Appeal in relation to infringement of licensing rights.
  • Advised Monsanto Inc in relation to its litigation against a local SA firm in relation to conflict-of-interest allegations before the Gauteng High Court and Supreme Court of Appeal.
  • Advising in relation to the South African Reserve Bank (and other agencies) investigation and prosecution of the largest money laundering scheme in South Africa’s history.
  • Acting in complex competition litigation before the competition authorities in relation to the LPG sector.
  • Assisting international clients in relation to the Competition Commission’s investigation into the LPG sector, automotive parts sector, milling industry, the oil & gas sector and motion picture industry.
  • Successfully advised Google Inc in relation to an abuse of dominance complaint before the SA competition authorities.
  • Successfully represented Ethos/Brait/Premier FMCG and Lodestone in large merger proceedings following Premier’s acquisition of the confectionary business (“Mister Sweet”) from Lodestone Brands (the transaction was notified in South Africa, Eswatini, Namibia and Botswana). A significant component of the South African merger review was dedicated to the assessment of the public interest criteria before the South African Commission and Tribunal.
  • Successfully represented Golar LNG Limited in merger control proceedings before the Cameroon and CEMAC competition agencies.
  • Successfully advised on aspects of the acquisition before the Lusophone authorities.
  • Advised Samsung Electronics Company Ltd in the disposal of its printer business to Hewlett-Packard (HP) Inc.
  • Currently advising a major international airline on its regulatory and competition affairs across Africa.
  • Currently advising clients in relation to the South African competition authorities’ investigation into the Auto parts sector.
  • Advising clients in relation to the Competition Commission investigation into the LPG sector.
  • Representing Oryx Energies before the Competition Tribunal in relation to the cylinder deposit investigation.
  • Advised the Internet Solutions Providers Association of South Africa (ISPA) in successfully opposing the much publicised and aborted merger between Telkom and Business Connection (BCX), South Africa’s largest IT company.
  • Advising Pick n Pay Limited in relation to the Competition Commission’s high-profile investigation into the retail grocery sector.
    Advised in relation to the abuse of dominance complaint against the incumbent telecommunications provider, Telkom.
  • Successfully advised Google Inc in relation to an abuse of dominance complaint before the SA competition authorities.
  • Advised a petroleum client in relation to the investigation and referral by the Commission of the Bitumen cartel.
  • Advised in relation to the Commission’s investigation of alleged abuse of dominance in the beer sector.
  • Advised an air cargo client in relation to price fixing on fuel surcharges and cargo rates.
  • Advised in relation to the investigation and referral of international freight forwarders.
  • Advised Premier Foods and Brait Limited in relation to the acquisition of Brait of a controlling interest in Premier Foods.
  • Acting on behalf of both parties in the acquisition by Premier Bakeries (Pty) Ltd of the Wheat and Maize Milling Division of Ngwane Mills (Pty) Ltd.
  • Representing Eli Lily Animal Health Elanco in relation to the acquisition of Novartis Animal Health before the South African competition authorities in relation to the long-steel sector regarding price fixing allegations.
  • Advised Robert Bosch GMBH in relation to the acquisition of 50% of Hytec Holdings (Pty) Ltd before the South African, Namibian and COMESA authorities.
  • Advised Premier Foods in relation to the successful acquisitions of the Star Bakeries (Pty) Ltd in the Eastern Cape and Lil-Lets.
    Advised Mahle Gmbh and Behr Gmbh in relation to the acquisition of control by Mahle in Behr.
  • Advised in relation to the acquisition by Robert Bosch Gmbh of 50% of the Shares in BSH Bosch Und Siemens Haisgerate Hmbh (“BSH”) and 100% of the Shares in Siemens-Electrogerate before the South African authorities.
  • Acting for Premier Group in the acquisition of biscuits and sugar confectionary business of Kraft Foods South Africa.
  • Advised Dis-Chem in relation to the successful acquisition of the CJ Williams Pharmaceutical Wholesale Business.
  • Advised the Saltzman Trust in respect of the acquisition of Capensis Investments 193 (Pty) Ltd, Billingsleg Properties (Pty) Ltd and Ossington Properties (Pty) Ltd.
  • Advised H&R in relation to allegations of an abuse of dominance in the petroleum jelly sector.
  • Advised Cargolux in relation to the SA Commission’s air cargo investigation.
  • Advising in relation to ongoing investigation into the bran and offal sectors.
  • Advising in relation to distribution and manufacturing arrangements in the FMCG sector.
  • Currently providing ongoing antitrust advice in relation to clients in the automotive and automotive component parts sector.
    Successfully provided ongoing antitrust advice in relation to clients in the pharmaceutical sector.
  • Successfully advised in relation to ongoing antitrust litigation in the agricultural sector.
  • Successfully advised on the Competition Commission investigations into the milling industry; bran and offal sector; the oil & gas sector; motion picture sector; air cargo sector and the construction sector ad in relation to ongoing antitrust litigation in the agricultural sector.
  • Successfully advised Monsanto & Company in relation to the USD 66 billion acquisition by Bayer ATKG before the South African agencies.
  • Successfully represented Eli Lily Animal Health Elanco in relation to the acquisition of Novartis Animal Health before the South African competition authorities.
  • Advised Comcast in relation to regional antitrust issues during its bid for 20th Century Fox.
  • Successfully advised both Samsung Electronics Company Limited and Harman International Industries Incorporated in obtaining unconditional clearance of the large merger before the South African competition authorities.
  • Successfully advised Merck & Co. and Sanofi-Aventis SA in relation to their much-publicised animal health joint venture.
  • Advised Verizon Business in relation to the disposal of its South African business to MTN Limited.
  • Advised Anglo American in relation to the sale of Anglo’s zinc assets to Vedanta Plc.
  • Represented Allergan Plc in the much-publicised proposed acquisition of Allergan by Pfizer Incorporated.

Recent events and publications

  • Co-authored the winning article for Concurrences Antitrust Writing Awards Best Business Article in Africa and the Middle East, “Semper Aliquid Novi Africam Adferre: Balancing Socio-Economic Goals with Competition Law” in March 2026.
  • Co-hosted the second Annual ‘African Antitrust Salon’ event in Washington D.C. with RBB Economics in March 2026.
  • Presented on the ABA podcast “My Curious Amalgam” in March 2026.
  • Presented at the OECD Global Forum on Competition, in Paris in December 2025, on behalf of Business at OECD, during the session on Competition Enforcement in Informal Markets.
  • Participated at the International Competition Network Merger Workshop 2025, in Port Louis, Mauritius and facilitated a session exploring the use of quantitative analysis in merger assessment.
  • Co-authored “A critical assessment of the development and enforcement of vertical restraints in South Africa and COMESA: a departure from international best practice?” for the 10TH African Competition and Economic Regulation (ACER) 2025 Conference, held in Namibia. 
  • Co-hosted the “Frontiers of Asset Recovery Conference 2025” in collaboration with ICC FraudNet at the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town.
  • Speaker at the 10th African Competition and Economic Regulation (ACER) Conference in Namibia, contributing to the panel titled ‘Merger Review – Challenges and International Insights’.
  • Co-moderator for the American Bar Association’s Antitrust Law Section Cartel & Criminal Practice Committee’s program titled “Meet the Enforcers: COMESA and South Africa.”
  • Hosted and presented a conference titled “Demystifying Governance, Risk and Compliance: How a Culture of Proactivity Brings Strategic Advantage” in conjunction with Corporate Counsel Association of South Africa at Inanda Club Sandton.
  • Presented on the Wolter Kluwer Webinar on the topic “Global Trends in Merger Control” on 27 May 2025.
  • Presented at the SAVCA ESG Masterclass “G” Element on the topic “Unpacking ESG Risk & Governance in Venture Capital & Private Equity” whilst promoting sustainable growth and returns in South Africa on 13 February 2025.
  • Presented at the inaugural 2024 Antitrust Across Africa in Cape Town hosted by the American Bar Association Antitrust Law Section on the topic “The implications of South Africa’s Public Interest Analysis”
  • Spoke at the 40th ICC FraudNet Conference in Puebla, Mexico on “Recovery of Proceeds of Bribery and Corruption in BRICS” with a narrowed focus on the key anti-corruption developments in South Africa on 13 September 2024.
  • Presented at the CCASA Legal Forum 2024 on 2 August 2024 speaking on “Mastering the Legal Arena: Spotlight on Competition Law”.
  • Made submissions on behalf of Business at the OECD during the OECD Competition Committee Meeting in Paris on 12 June 2024 on the topic “Pro-Competitive Industrial Policy”.
  • Presented at the C5 Fraud, Asset Tracing & Recovery in Geneva on ‘Confiscation in Fraud and Asset Recovery: Determining the Magnitude and Basis for the Confiscation’
  • Presented at a conference titled ‘Cost of Living in Small Insular Economies – Can Competition Ease It?’ and organised by the Autorité Polynésienne de la Concurrence and the Pacific Island Network of Competition, Consumer and Economic Regulators in Tahiti.
  • Presented at the ‘Fraud, Asset Tracing & Recovery’ conference hosted by C5 in Paris.
  • Hosted and presented a conference titled ‘Anti-Corruption Enforcement in South Africa: What Corporates Need to Know to Successfully Navigate the Risks’ in conjunction with Grant Thornton UK LLP, Business Unity SA, Corporate Counsel Association of South Africa and ICC FraudNet.
  • Presented at the 40th Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime on the topic of ‘Asset Recovery in Captured and Corrupted States’.
  • Author of an article published in the Journal of European Competition Law & Practice regarding developments in South Africa in respect of Competition in Digital Markets.
  • Co-editor of the CPI Africa column
  • Co-author of “Recent Competition Policy Considerations in Emerging Markets: Will Enforcement in Digital Markets Represent a Convergence or Divergence with International Competition Law Policy” presented at the University of Memphis Law Review and the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law Annual Symposium in March 2022.
  • Regular contributor to AfricanAntitrust and AfricanAntifraud, leading sources for competition and corruption developments across Africa.
  • Host of the Primerio conference titled “Unpacking the OECD’s ‘Combatting of Foreign Bribery Recommendations’ in South Africa” in March 2022.
  • Panellist at the IBA Annual Conference session titled ‘Global anti-corruption update’ in October 2022.
  • Spoke at the 34th ICC FraudNet Conference in Cyprus titled ‘Sanctions, Fraud and Asset Recovery in a Turbulent World’ on critical developments emerging from South Africa.
  • Co-authored “The Extraterritorial Application of Asset Forfeiture Proceedings in South Africa” published in the 2022 ICC FraudNet Global Annual Report.
  • Panellist of the co-hosted Primerio, Accountability Now and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung conference titled “Reform the Criminal Justice Administration” in South Africa in February 2023.

Qualifications

  • BA LLB (University of Cape Town) 
  • Diploma, Competition Law (University of Witwatersrand) 

Experience

  • Co-founder and Director of Primerio International 2014-Present
  • Partner at Webber Wentzel 2007-2009
  • Foreign Antitrust Advisor at Howrey LLP in Washington DC 2003-2004

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