The Executive Director of the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority, Dr. Simeon Koffi, has underscored the need for stronger regulatory frameworks to address emerging risks that could undermine the full potential of cross-border trade within West Africa.
Addressing journalists at a press briefing ahead of the Fifth Meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Trade and Industry in Accra, Dr. Koffi warned that misleading commercial practices, unsafe products, anti-competitive conduct, and unfair digital market manipulation pose significant threats to the growth of intra-regional trade.
He stressed that regulation remains the most effective coordinated response to these emerging challenges, particularly in safeguarding consumers who are at the centre of cross-border commercial transactions. According to him, effective regulation not only protects consumer rights but also enhances trust and confidence across the regional trade value chain.
Dr. Koffi further acknowledged the regulatory fragmentation that persists across ECOWAS member states, noting that divergent legal and enforcement frameworks continue to create bottlenecks in regional commerce. He therefore called for a harmonised regulatory regime capable of addressing common challenges through coordinated action.
“Regulation is our coordinated response to these emerging challenges. It establishes, for the first time in our region, a harmonised and comprehensive framework for protecting consumers in cross-border transactions. It clearly defends fundamental consumer rights, including the right to safety, accurate information, fair treatment, privacy, and effective redress,” he stated.
His remarks come at a time when ECOWAS is seeking to deepen economic integration and expand intra-regional commerce. Despite progress in trade liberalisation, trade among ECOWAS member states remains relatively low compared to other regional blocs.
Estimates place intra-ECOWAS trade at between 12 and 15% of total trade, highlighting both the gains achieved and the significant untapped potential within a regional market of more than 400 million people. Regional leaders have repeatedly identified non-tariff barriers, poor transport infrastructure, inconsistent standards, and cumbersome border procedures as key obstacles to greater trade integration.
Dr. Koffi noted that digital platforms and growing cross-border commercial activities are expanding opportunities for businesses across the region. However, he cautioned that without adequate safeguards, the same platforms could expose consumers and businesses to unfair practices capable of eroding confidence in the regional market.
The high-level meeting of ECOWAS Trade and Industry Ministers scheduled to take place in Accra from June 11 to 12, 2026 is aimed at consolidating a coordinated regional roadmap following preparations toward the 14th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference.
Discussions are expected to focus on critical multilateral trade issues, including agricultural subsidies, fisheries, e-commerce, and dispute settlement reform.
The meeting will also provide ministers with an opportunity to review recommendations from the Meeting of Industry Experts, assess progress made under the regional industrialisation agenda, and identify practical measures to address persistent challenges to economic integration and industrial development across the sub-region.
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