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The Executive Director of the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA), Dr. Simeon K. Koffi, received the Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Dr. Kalilou Sylla, on a working visit to the Agency’s headquarters in Banjul on 15 January 2026.
The visit formed part of the Commissioner’s familiarization tour following his assumption of office in October 2025, aimed at engaging with agencies under his portfolio.
In welcoming the Commissioner and his Executive Assistant, Dr. Koffi expressed his appreciation for the visit and extended warm New Year wishes to the Commissioner, his delegation, and the staff of ERCA.
The Executive Director highlighted the significance of the visit and presented an overview of ERCA’s establishment, mission, and mandate. He also outlined the Authority’s key achievements to date, as well as the challenges it continues to face. He emphasized the need to review the legal instruments establishing ERCA in light of the evolving competition landscape, particularly emerging issues related to digital markets and the growing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in business, trade, and commerce.
In his remarks, the Commissioner expressed his pleasure at meeting the Executive Director and his team and thanked them for the warm reception and hospitality. He underscored the critical role of ERCA’s mandate and reaffirmed the importance of competition regulation, especially in the context of an increasingly turbulent global economy.
The Commissioner further reassured the Executive Director and staff of his commitment to working closely with ERCA and other departments under his supervision to advance necessary reforms. These efforts, he noted, would strengthen service delivery and enhance the attainment of ECOWAS’ mandate for the overall benefit of the Community.
Courtesy Call on the Honourable Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment
As part of his mission to The Gambia, the Commissioner paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment. In his remarks, the Commissioner expressed his sincere appreciation to the Minister for the meeting with his delegation. He conveyed, on behalf of the ECOWAS Commission and in his personal capacity, warm New Year greetings and best wishes for good health, success and prosperity.
The Commissioner warmly congratulated the Honourable Minister on his recent appointment and wished him every success in the discharge of his important responsibilities in the service of the Gambian people. He further expressed gratitude to the Government of The Gambia for its continued support to ECOWAS institutions in the country, particularly the strong cooperation between the Ministry and ERCA, which has significantly contributed to the effective implementation of the ECOWAS competition framework and the promotion of a fair and competitive business environment in the region.
He also commended the Ministry for the remarkable work of the Gambian Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (GCCPC), which operates under its supervision. The Commissioner expressed satisfaction about the close collaboration between the GCCPC and ERCA, notably through the active participation of GCCPC representatives in the ECOWAS Competition Consultative Committee, where they continue to make valuable contributions.
Furthermore, the Commissioner expressed appreciation for the facilities made available by the Government of The Gambia to ERCA to fulfil its mission.
Beyond competition-related matters, the Commissioner noted with satisfaction the progress recorded in other key areas under the portfolio of the Honourable minister, including the free movement of people and goods, trade, customs, research and statistics, multilateral monitoring, agriculture, the environment, and animal health. He thanked the Honourable Minister for the continuous support extended to ECOWAS initiatives in these sectors and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to deepening cooperation.
In his address, the Honourable Minister expressed his appreciation for the work of ERCA and ECOWAS institutions in general. He highlighted the strong and productive collaboration between ERCA and the GCCPC and reiterated his Ministry’s commitment to further strengthening this partnership. The Minister also informed the Commissioner that concrete steps are being taken to improve ERCA’s working conditions, including the ongoing initiatives to secure a more suitable office space and the allocation of land for the construction of a permanent ECOWAS office complex in The Gambia.
He concluded by reaffirming his Government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation in West Africa and advancing the objectives of regional integration within the ECOWAS framework.