ERCA Confab ends with call for stronger regional competition framework

Held under the theme “Competition Policy and Market Integration in ECOWAS: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities,” the three-day conference brought together competition authorities, policymakers, researchers, regulators, private-sector representatives and other stakeholders. The forum featured plenary sessions, expert panel discussions, thematic breakout sessions, selected paper presentations, policy roundtables and networking events. A major outcome of the conference was the adoption of a Conference Declaration on Competition Policy and Market Integration in ECOWAS, outlining recommendations for strengthening competition enforcement, cooperation between ERCA and national competition authorities, digital markets and emerging competition issues, as well as institutional and legal reforms. Delivering the declaration, ERCA Executive Director Dr. Simeon Konan Koffi said effective competition policy requires strong cooperation at national, regional, continental and international levels to address cross-border challenges, harmonise frameworks and strengthen enforcement capacity. He said competition should not be viewed merely as a legal safeguard but as a driver of innovation, investment, productivity, consumer welfare and inclusive economic transformation. The declaration noted that an open regional market alone cannot guarantee the expected benefits of economic integration, stressing the need to prevent anti-competitive practices, remove unjustified barriers to entry and protect consumers. It further identified market concentration, insufficient economic diversification, infrastructure and regulatory constraints, complex administrative procedures, licensing systems and logistical barriers as challenges affecting competition in the region. Participants called for the continuous modernisation of ECOWAS competition laws, particularly to address digital markets and emerging business models. They also urged member states to strengthen national competition and consumer-protection frameworks and establish adequately resourced, independent national competition authorities. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Mr. Dehpue Zou, Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, commended The Gambia for successfully hosting the conference and thanked the government, local organising committee, partners and participants for their contributions. He said the discussions demonstrated that competition is integral to regional economic integration, enabling businesses to compete fairly, investors to operate with confidence and consumers to benefit from choice and innovation. Representing the Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, Tabara Touray said an integrated regional market cannot fulfil its potential where businesses face unfair conditions, consumers lack protection or smaller enterprises are excluded. She stressed the need for stronger cross-border cooperation, enforcement capacity and information sharing, while noting that competition policies must also address women entrepreneurs, youth, MSMEs, informal businesses and vulnerable consumers. The conference concluded with a call for stakeholders to translate the recommendations into concrete national and regional action.