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The ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA) successfully held the fourth statutory meeting of its Council from 18 to 19 December 2025 in Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria. This session formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the effective enforcement of the ECOWAS Community Competition Rules (CCR) within the West African region.
The meeting brought together all members of the ERCA Council, chaired by Dr Juliette TWUMASI-ANOKYE, as well as the Executive Director and Secretary to the Council, Dr Siméon K. KOFFI, supported by staff of the Secretariat.
Discussions focused primarily on:
- the sharing of experiences in defining relevant markets, particularly in the context of merger and acquisition control;
- data collection and analysis techniques, which are essential for a rigorous assessment of competitive effects;
- the review and validation of the draft guidelines on the management of confidential information in competition procedures within ECOWAS.
Council members emphasised the importance of a precise definition of the relevant market as a key condition for preventing anti-competitive practices and ensuring balanced decisions that promote both competition and investment.
The Council unanimously welcomed and recommended the full application of the guidelines on the management of confidential information.
These guidelines aim to enhance transparency, protect sensitive information and strengthen the confidence of economic operators in the actions of ERCA. The Council also requested their harmonisation and dissemination in the three official working languages of ECOWAS.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Chairperson of the Council and the Executive Director of ERCA commended the quality of the discussions and the progress achieved, while reaffirming the commitment of the Council and the Secretariat to continue, in 2026, the rigorous implementation of the CCR in support of a competitive, integrated and attractive West African common market