Overview
The ECOWAS Regional Competition Rules were adopted in 2008 by the Summit of Heads of State and Government. The Competition Rules designed to ‘…promote, maintain and encourage competition and enhance economic efficiency in production, trade and commerce at the regional level’, come after the adoption in 2007 of the ECOWAS Regional Competition Policy Framework.
The ECOWAS Regional Policy was developed alongside two Supplementary Acts which adopted:
Supplementary Act A/SA.1/12/08 Adopting Community Rules and the Modalities of their Application within ECOWAS; and
Supplementary Act A/A.2/12/08 On the Establishment, Functions and Operation of the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA)
The development of the text was as a result of recommendations by a Ministerial Monitoring Committee requesting the harmonization of policies into a Community regulatory framework on Competition.
The policy features five segments:
- Competition Law and basic principles (competition law and its benefits)
- Making the case for regional competition policy for ECOWAS (highlights how it can help in consolidating the common market)
- Overview of the state of competition law within ECOWAS (convergence between rules UEMOA and ECOWAS rules)
- Highlights of a competition regulation within ECOWAS (institutional framework, current status of competition among others)
- Conditions for implementation (modalities for effective implementation)
It also establishes a legal and institutional structure to promote fair competition, economic efficiency and consumer welfare within West Africa. It prohibits cartels, abuse of dominant positions and regulates mergers affecting trade across member states, enforced by the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA).
ECOWAS Regional Competition Policy Framework
ECOWAS Regional Competition Policy Framework
The ECOWAS Regional Competition Rules were adopted in 2008 by the Summit of Heads of State and Government.
The Regulation on the Rules of Procedure for Mergers and Acquisitions in ECOWAS
The Regulation on the Rules of Procedure for Mergers and Acquisitions in ECOWAS deals with the conditions, rules and procedures...
Regulation on ERCA's Rules of Procedures on Competition Matters
The Regulation C/REG. 24/12/21 on the Rules of Procedure of the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA) in Competition Matters...
