The ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA) has intensified efforts to harmonise competition laws and strengthen consumer protection across West Africa as it opened the 13th meeting of its Competition Consultative Committee (CCC) in Conakry, Guinea.
The three-day meeting, held from November 2 to 4, 2026, brought together competition and consumer protection experts from ECOWAS Member States to review regulatory frameworks, strengthen regional cooperation and advance the development of a single, transparent and predictable market for businesses and consumers.
The meeting is expected to address critical issues shaping the regional competition landscape, including proposed reforms to ECOWAS competition policy and law, the establishment of an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) centre in West Africa, and amendments to existing regional competition regulations.
Delegates also examined and validated a proposed amendment to Regulation C/REG.23/12/21 and the Declaration of the Inaugural Conference, alongside a review of ERCA’s annual report.
A key component of the meeting was the country-by-country assessments of progress made by Member States in implementing national competition and consumer protection laws, with a view to identifying gaps, sharing experiences and strengthening enforcement mechanisms.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, ERCA Executive Director, Dr. Simeon K. Koffi, announced plans by ECOWAS and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) to launch training seminars under the Programme to Support Competition and Consumer Product Safety in Sub-Saharan Africa (PACoSPro). He said, the initiative would strengthen the technical capacity of competition and consumer protection institutions across the region.
Koffi expressed appreciation to members of the CCC for their commitment to advancing the regional competition agenda, while commending the Guinean authorities for hosting the meeting.
In her remarks, the CCC Chairperson, Dr. Talime Abe, emphasised the importance of members reviewing and taking ownership of the Declaration of the Inaugural Conference, which has been submitted to the Committee for validation.
Also speaking, Secretary General of Industry and Trade in Guinea, Mr. Bamba Oliano, who represented the Minister of Trade, Industry and SMEs, stressed the need for national institutions to be adequately resourced to enforce competition regulations effectively.
He described the exchange of experiences among Member States as essential to strengthening enforcement capacity, and commended ERCA’s regional approach to addressing competition-related challenges.
The 13th CCC meeting is considered a significant step towards deepening economic integration in West Africa through stronger regulatory cooperation, harmonised legal frameworks and improved institutional capacity.
As the technical organ responsible for examining competition-related issues and reviewing proposed regional instruments, the CCC plays a critical role in shaping ERCA’s policy direction and recommendations to its governing bodies.
The outcome of its deliberations is expected to contribute to a more competitive regional economy, curb anti-competitive practices, improve consumer welfare and create a level playing field for businesses operating across ECOWAS Member States.
The meeting concluded on November 4, 2026.