Swearing-in ceremony set for new members of ERCA Council

On October 2, 2024, Banjul, the capital of the Republic of The Gambia, will host the swearing-in ceremony for members of the Council of the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA).

The event will be presided over by Vice-President of the Community Court of Justice, Honorable Judge Gbéri-Bè Ouattara. In attendance will be President of the ECOWAS Commission H.E. Omar Alieu Touray, members of the Gambian government, ambassadors from ECOWAS member states in The Gambia, Mrs. Massandjé Toure-Litse, ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture; Dr. Siméon Koffi, Executive Director of ERCA; and various guests from government agencies, private sector entities, civil society organizations and international bodies in The Gambia.

ERCA serves as the authoritative body representing the region on competition and consumer protection issues. Its operations officially commenced in June 2019 in Gambia where its headquarters are located. The structure includes an executive body and a council which acts as its decision-making arm. The council reviews investigations conducted by the Executive Director concerning breaches of community competition rules and makes appropriate decisions. Members appointed to this council serve a four-year term during which they also consider requests related to orders, mergers and acquisitions, sanctions and compensation.

In 2007, ECOWAS adopted a Regional Competition Policy Framework (RCPF) outlining objectives and principles for competition law aimed at benefiting community markets, regional integration processes and consumer welfare.

Following this framework's adoption came three key legal texts promulgated by the ECOWAS Conference of Heads of State and Government in 2008: Supplementary Act A/SA.1/12/08 adopting Community Competition Rules; Supplementary Act A/SA.2/12/08 establishing ERCA's creation, functions and operations; and Supplementary Act A/SA.3/12/21 amending previous acts to include provisions for establishing an ERCA Council.

These steps towards adopting competition rules and creating ERCA aim to enhance market efficiency, economic growth and integration within West Africa—fundamental goals for ECOWAS.