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As a member of the International Competition Network (ICN), the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA) played an active role in the proceedings of the ICN 2026 Annual Conference, held from 6 to 8 May 2026 in Manila, Philippines. This sustained presence enabled ARCC to consolidate its institutional visibility, strengthen its strategic partnerships, and advance its priorities in the areas of regional cooperation and competition policy.
Organized with the support of the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), the host institution for this edition, the overall objective of the ICN Annual Conference 2026 was to bring together competition authorities, heads of agencies, non-governmental experts, and institutional partners to exchange views on recent developments in competition law and policy, share best practices in enforcement, and strengthen international cooperation in this field.
The opening ceremony featured remarks by Ms. Andrea Marván, Chair of the ICN and representative of Mexico’s National Antitrust Commission (CNA) , who underscored the importance of further strengthening the international competition network in order to respond, in a coordinated manner, to the current challenges facing global markets.
In his remarks, Mr. Michael G. Aguinaldo, representative of the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) , welcomed the delegations and recalled the key issues at stake in this 25th edition of the Annual Conference.
A keynote address was subsequently delivered by Mr. Arsenio M. Balisacan, Secretary of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development of the Philippines , who highlighted the growing interconnectedness of markets, the need for continued cooperation among institutions, and the importance of enhanced coordination between agencies. He also emphasized that competition responses must remain contextualized and tailored to current economic realities.
This 25th ICN Annual Conference was also marked by the official announcement of the Inaugural Annual Conference of the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority, scheduled to take place from 15 to 17 September 2026, by Dr Simeon Koffi, Executive Director of ERCA .
In his statement, Dr Koffi underscored that this inaugural conference would constitute a major step in strengthening regional cooperation on competition matters within the ECOWAS area. He indicated that it would provide a platform for dialogue and exchange among competition authorities, public decision-makers, technical partners, and other stakeholders, with a view to promoting the effective enforcement of competition law and fostering the emergence of more open, fairer, and more competitive markets across the region. The Executive Director further invited participants and partners to support this regional initiative, which is intended to become a regular institutional platform for the exchange of experiences, strategic dialogue, and the consolidation of competition policies in West Africa.
Through its active engagement in Manila and the high-level exchanges held on the margins of the proceedings, ARCC reaffirms its commitment to contributing fully to the international dialogue on competition, while continuing to strengthen regional cooperation in support of more efficient, inclusive markets that are conducive to consumer welfare within the ECOWAS region.
