Four regional blocs partner to strenghten consumer protection laws

TO Strengthen Africa’s economic integration, competition authorities of four major regional economic blocs have partnered to enhance cooperation in enforcing competition and consumer protection laws across borders under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The partnership was signed between the East African Community Competition Authority (EACCA) Competition Authority, the COMESA Competition and Consumer Commission (CCCC), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Regional Competition Authority and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) Commission.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) seeks to among others, enhance enforcement at the continental level through collaborative enforcement of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) competition and consumer protection policies and laws.

It also establishes a structured framework for collaboration in investigations, information sharing, staff exchanges, joint capacity building, coordinated enforcement actions and market inquiries.

He said it is also expected that the joint efforts and engagement between the RECs will address challenges brought about by overlapping jurisdiction among them, as well as discuss matters of mutual interest.

“When we started out, our goal was one, to work towards AfCFTA to ensure we do not lose all the past gains of building the RECs of the continent and their competition authorities. Our goal has broadened and provided an opportunity for the RECs to contribute in a more impactful way in the continent.

“Through these RECs, 38 countries in Africa have been brought together; 21 in COMESA, 12 in ECOWAS, 8 in EAC and eight in UEMOA, some of the countries having overlapping jurisdiction in more than one REC. Bringing these countries together is in resonance with the goal of the competition authorities of these RECs to harmonise competition and consumer protection policies and laws within their jurisdictions,” Dr Mwemba said.

And EACCA acting registrar Stellah Onyancha said the signing of the MoU marks a significant step towards strengthening collaboration and promoting fair competition within regional landscape and at continental level.

Ms Onyancha is optimistic that the cooperation framework will achieve its intended results for all the RECs, and that will also serve as building blocks towards AfCFTA.

“I am confident that the MOU will further solidify the strong ties that already subsist between us in addition to the bilateral MoUs we have, foster closer and more productive collaboration and enable us to contribute to the effective enforcement of our respective regional competition laws, create conducive environment for businesses, with the goal of enhancing consumer welfare and economic development in the continent.

“All this will be made possible through a work plan to be agreed upon by the four competition authorities,” she said.

Meanwhile, ECOWAS regional competition authority executive director Simeon Koffi said the partnership represents a major step forward for regional competition authorities in Africa and sends a clear signal that the institutions are ready to work together to promote fair markets, protect consumers, and support Africa’s economic integration.

“Beyond inter-REC cooperation, this agreement also strengthens competition policy under the AfCFTA. By deepening links between regional authorities, we lay the foundation for a stronger continental framework, capable of supporting a coherent competition regime across Africa.

At the same event, UEMOA Commissioner Filiga Michel Sawadogo noted that the partnership is not only a technical cooperation tool, but a building block towards a more integrated and competitive African market.