6th ERCA Council in Banjul: Setting the Stage for the Inaugural Conference and Global Best Practices

The Sixth Statutory Session of the Council of the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority – ERCA was held in Banjul on 18 and 19 June 2026.

The Executive Director of ERCA, Dr Koffi Simeon, opened the technical deliberations by recalling the Authority’s mandate: to prevent and suppress anti-competitive practices, promote a culture of fair competition, and protect consumers. He highlighted the challenges facing ERCA, including strengthening its operational capacity, harmonizing competition policies across Member States, and adapting to the rapid evolution of digital markets.

His Excellency Dr Kalilou Sylla, Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, participated in the opening session. In his address, the Commissioner commended ERCA’s work and recommended that the Authority’s institutional, technical, and human capacities be strengthened to enable it to effectively address competition issues within the Community.

The Chairperson of the ERCA Council, Dr Juliette Twumasi-Anokye, thanked all participants for their commitment and presence in Banjul. She reaffirmed the Council’s central role in providing strategic guidance to ERCA and in consolidating a regional competition framework that supports West African economic integration.During the session, the Council reviewed the progress of preparations for the ERCA Inaugural Annual Conference and discussed the proposed benchmarking study visit to the Directorate-General for Competition of the European Commission, the Competition and Markets Authority, the French Competition Authority, and the OECD.The session concluded with a renewed commitment by Council members to advance ERCA’s mandate and ensure fair and competitive markets across West Africa.