The inauguration was held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center.
Its activities were officially launched in June 2019 in The Gambia, which also serves as the headquarters with a structure comprising an executive body and the Council, the decision-making body of the Authority.
It is responsible for reviewing and taking appropriate decisions on the investigations carried out by the Executive Director relating to alleged breach of the Community competition rules. The members of the Council, appointed for a four (4) year term, will also have the role to consider request for orders, mergers and acquisitions, sanctions and compensation submitted by the Executive Director.
At the inaugural ceremony, Massandje Toure-Litse, commissioner of Economic Affaires and Agriculture, ECOWAS Commission, expressed gratitude to Gambian authorities not only for the hosting of the inaugural ceremony, but also for agreeing to host the headquarters of the ERCA since July 2019.
This action, he added, denotes the will and commitment of The Gambia government in promoting development of a competitive environment and inter-regional trade that would benefit the entire community.
“I would also like to commend the good cooperation between ERCA and its various partners in particular, the Ministry in-charge of Trade and Competitive Committee composed of the representatives of the National Competition Authority. Their constant report and the quality of their interventions have made them privileged and responsible partners in the preparation and review of the various legal instruments adopted by the ECOWAS decision-making body."
To that end, she expressed thanks and appreciation to the minister for Trade and the CEO of The Gambia Competition and Consumer and Protection Commission, who she said, are among the ERCA’s first line of contacts in The Gambia.
Similarly, she extended appreciation to all their partners who contributed in one way or the other towards the organisation of this Banjul meeting.
Deputising for the minister for Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, Nani Juwara, the minister for Petroleum and Energy, described the event as a significant milestone in their collective efforts in advancing economic integration of the ECOWAS region. He stressed their desire to promote fair and effective competition in the community’s market, demonstrate their commitment to regional integration as a strong competition regime and instrument in fostering market integration.
The effective functioning of the community’s market, he went on, would facilitate trade and investment as well as innovation.
“Therefore, the establishment of the regional competition authority is not merely bureaucratic in our formalities, but something that embodies fair results for sustainable economic development, consumer protection and the promotion of innovations across member states. In addition, for the authority to function effectively it was required for a governing body for the implementation of the supplementary protocols and regional competition framework and policies, having the powers to preclude and eliminate anti-competitive practices, impose sanctions and compensation due to infringement or violation of competition rules."
Thus, he reminded council members of the important role that lies ahead in ensuring the success of the institution. As they embark on this important endeavour, he reminded them of the diverse economic landscape that exists within the ECOWAS region.
He also talked about the numerous initiatives undertaken by the authority to foster fair-play and protection of consumers in the region.
For his part, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, president of the ECOWAS Commission, reminded that as they approach the 50th anniversary of the ECOWAS, they have much to reflect on and celebrate and that the establishment of ERCA council is one achievement.
Dr. Touray noted that indeed it is a key milestone in strengthening institutional framework for competition across our region, pointing out that while they commemorate their successes, they must also recognise the challenges that lie ahead especially their pursuit for a more integrated and prosperous West Africa.
He reminded that the founding fathers of ECOWAS set in motion a vision of regional integration that continues to guide them today.
That, he added, was embodied in the adoption of Vision 2050 by our Heads of State and Government in December 2021.
To that end, he reiterated his heartfelt gratitude to the community’s leaders for their commitment and unwavering support in implementing the various regional integration projects.
The Gambian born ECOWAS prexy also expressed gratitude to the government and people of The Gambia for the facility made available to host ERCA headquarters to enable it carry out its activities.
This, he believes, is geared towards deeper regional integration, maintaining that the establishment of ERCA is part of their broader strategy to trade, investment, innovation and sustainable economic development.
He described the decision taken by the Heads of State and Government in December 2008 to provide the region with a competition policy and an agency responsible for its implementation within the regional market as a step in the right direction.
Meanwhile, the 10-member council, which comprised nationalities from different West African countries, all took oaths, administered by Justice Gberi-Be Ouattara, vice president of Community Court of Justice.
