English 
Français 
Português 
The ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA) held its annual institutional retreat from 11 to 15 November 2025 at the ABcas Creek Lodge in the Foni region of the Republic of The Gambia. Under the theme:
“Promoting Ethical Conduct, Accountability, and Operational Excellence within ERCA”,
the retreat brought together all staff members for a strategic programme combining capacity-building, institutional cohesion, and operational planning for the year 2026.
A Strengthened Programme Focused on Ethics, Compliance, and Institutional Governance
To reinforce organisational culture and adherence to ECOWAS regulatory standards, the ARCC engaged an expert in Administration, Procurement, and Human Resources, specialising in governance, ethics, and administrative management. The expert facilitated several in-depth technical sessions covering:
- ethics, integrity, and professional responsibility within ECOWAS institutions;
- the ECOWAS Code of Conduct, Staff Regulations, and Administrative and Financial Rules;
- institutional compliance and risk management;
- best practices in asset, inventory, and records management;
- transparency and efficiency principles in public procurement;
- facilities, fleet, and material resource management;
- financial management, internal control systems, and prevention of irregularities;
- teamwork, internal communication, and collective performance.
These sessions fostered interactive dialogue across divisions, practical exercises based on real-life cases, and the identification of recommendations to strengthen compliance, internal governance, and operational efficiency.
2025 Performance Review and Priority Setting for 2026
Participants conducted a comprehensive review of activities undertaken in 2025, particularly regarding:
- merger and acquisition control;
- prevention of anti-competitive practices;
- technical assistance to Member States;
- administrative and financial management;
- institutional communication and the promotion of a competition culture within the ECOWAS region.
This review enabled staff to assess progress made, identify persistent challenges, and develop strategic orientations to enhance the Authority’s performance.
A key outcome of the retreat was the adoption of the 2026 Strategic Roadmap, structured around five priority pillars:
- operational efficiency and strengthened internal control mechanisms;
- promotion of an institutional culture of compliance and professional ethics;
- improved internal and external communication;
- digitalisation of processes and modernisation of work tools;
- promotion of a transparent and equitable competitive environment across the ECOWAS region.
Statement from the ARCC Executive Director
At the close of the sessions, the Executive Director of the ARCC, Dr Siméon KOFFI, welcomed the successful conduct of this strategic retreat:
“This retreat has been a crucial moment for reflection, learning, and collective commitment. It has allowed us to consolidate our achievements, strengthen our organisational culture, and align our actions with ECOWAS standards. The adopted roadmap reflects our determination to promote modern, transparent, and effective regulatory practices for the benefit of Member States, businesses, and consumers.”
Strengthening Cohesion and Collaborative Work
Beyond the technical sessions, the retreat included practical activities, group exercises, and team-building workshops, creating an enabling environment for enhanced collaboration across ERCA units. These activities helped reinforce team spirit—an essential factor for the effective implementation of the Authority’s mandate.