By: Binta Jaiteh
The Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (GCCPC), in partnership with the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA), the European Union Delegation, and the Competition and Consumer Protection Support Programme (PACoSPro), has conducted a seminar on competition law and policy in West Africa.
The three-day seminar aims to strengthen awareness and understanding of competition law and policy, promote consumer protection, and enhance dialogue among public institutions, businesses, civil society, and the media.
The Executive Director of ERCA, Dr. Simeon Koffi, said regional cooperation is essential for effective competition regulation and economic integration in West Africa.
He said ERCA was established to ensure the consistent application of ECOWAS competition rules and to safeguard the benefits of regional integration for all economic actors.
Koffi said significant progress has been made in strengthening the regional competition framework in recent years.
He noted that in December 2021, ECOWAS adopted a new set of legal instruments aimed at reinforcing the community’s competition regime.
“These reforms clarify investigative procedures, establish a comprehensive framework for merger control, and modernise operational tools in line with member states’ commitment,” he said.
The representative of PACoSPro, Mariana Tavares, said the programme was established one year ago and is designed to run for three years.
She said similar seminars have been held in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Guinea-Bissau, adding that the initiative provides a platform for stakeholders and civil society organisations to exchange ideas on competition policy.
Tavares urged participants to actively engage in discussions to ensure the success of the seminar.
The Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Mariama Fofana, said government recognises competition and consumer protection as key pillars of a modern, resilient, and inclusive economy.
She said ongoing legal and institutional reforms are aimed at promoting fair competition, protecting consumer rights, and supporting private sector development.
Fofana said the government is currently reviewing the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2021 to ensure it remains responsive to changing market conditions and emerging economic realities.
She encouraged participants to share ideas and identify practical solutions to strengthen competition policy and enforcement in The Gambia and across the subregion.
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