Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire – Regional Economic Communities (RECs) across Africa are strengthening their collaboration to create a unified framework for competition and consumer protection in response to overlapping competition regulations and the growing influence of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). A three-day meeting, co-hosted by the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), took place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from October 23 to 25, 2024, gathering leaders from key African economic regions.
Attendees included representatives from the East African Community (EAC), ECOWAS, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and UEMOA, alongside members of the AfCFTA Secretariat. Discussions centered on enhancing cooperation to improve efficiency and coherence across Africa’s competition regimes, a critical step as the continent moves toward unified trade regulations.
Prominent officials such as Ms. Lillian K. Mukoronia of ECA, Dr. Willard Mwemba from COMESA, and Dr. Simeon Koffi of ARCC opened the session, joined by Professor Filiga Michel Sawadogo, WAEMU’s Commissioner for Regional Cooperation and Market, and Mr. Olivier Daipo, representing Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Trade and Industry. Speakers acknowledged the role of RECs in supporting member states to implement competitive standards that will foster free trade and investment within Africa.
The assembled leaders highlighted the establishment of a formal consultation framework between competition and consumer protection authorities across the RECs. This setup aims to facilitate regular exchanges of knowledge, experience, and best practices on matters of mutual interest. They noted that the framework will also help RECs build capacities in response to shifting market conditions and economic trends.
The meeting concluded with several resolutions, including the formation of an ad hoc committee tasked with drafting terms for a unified REC office and establishing an REC focal point to coordinate implementation efforts. Additionally, the RECs committed to launching capacity-building initiatives on emerging competition issues, encouraging international partnerships to attract priority sector projects, and advancing recommendations from the first REC meeting held in Lusaka, Zambia, in July 2023.
Participants urged the AfCFTA Secretariat to ensure continued stakeholder consultations, keeping REC authorities informed on developments related to the AfCFTA Protocol on Competition Policy. They also recommended consultation sessions to finalize draft regulations, ensuring REC perspectives are incorporated.
