Dakar, Senegal – The Commission of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) is set to host a national seminar in Dakar from March 10-12, 2026, aimed at bolstering understanding and application of competition law and consumer safety policies across the region. The event will bring together key stakeholders from the public and private sectors, as well as civil society organizations in Senegal.
The seminar, commencing at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at the Hôtel Ndiambour, comes as part of broader efforts to improve the business environment, enhance competitiveness, and foster economic growth in West Africa. It is being organized with the technical and financial support of the Programme d’appui à la concurrence et à la sécurité des Produits de consommation (PACoSPro), a program dedicated to these goals.
Participants will include officials from Senegal’s Ministry of Commerce – specifically the Directorate of Internal Trade and the Competition Commission – as well as representatives from the insurance and banking sectors (Association Professionnelle des Sociétés Assurances and Association Professionnelle des Banques et Etablissements Financiers), the pharmaceutical industry (Agence Nationale de Régulation Pharmaceutique, Syndicat des Pharmaciens, wholesale distributors, and the Order of Pharmacists), economic journalists, and consumer associations.
The PACoSPro program, funded by the European Union with five (05) million euros, aims to improve the business environment and promote economic growth in West Africa by strengthening competition rules. Technical assistance for the program is provided by the IBF/GIZ consortium. The UEMOA maintains a network of contact points across member states, facilitating regional cooperation.
Strengthening Competition Frameworks Across West Africa
The seminar’s core objective is to disseminate information and raise awareness about competition law and policy, ultimately leading to a more efficient and transparent market. Organizers intend to foster a deeper understanding of the benefits of competition, encourage adherence to competition rules by both public and private sector actors, and cultivate a culture of competition throughout the region. Specifically, the seminar will focus on strengthening regulatory frameworks and the capacity of national and regional authorities responsible for enforcing competition rules.
The program aims to achieve this through three key areas: reinforcing policies and regulatory frameworks for competition authorities in West Africa; enhancing the ability of these authorities, as well as courts and tribunals, to enforce competition rules; and ensuring that public and private sector actors respect competition law for the benefit of consumers.
Key Sectors Targeted for Enhanced Competition
The seminar’s focus on the insurance, banking, and pharmaceutical sectors reflects their critical importance to the West African economy and the potential for anti-competitive practices to impact consumers. These sectors are often characterized by complex regulations and significant barriers to entry, making effective competition oversight crucial. The involvement of economic journalists and consumer associations underscores the importance of public awareness and advocacy in promoting fair market practices.
The BCEAO, the central bank for the West African Monetary Union, is headquartered in Dakar, Senegal, playing a vital role in the region’s economic stability. The Commission de l’UEMOA, with Abdoulaye Diop as its President, continues to position Senegal as a key player within the UEMOA.
Looking Ahead: Fostering a Competitive West African Market
The UEMOA’s seminar represents a significant step towards strengthening competition and consumer protection in West Africa. The success of the PACoSPro program and initiatives like this seminar will be crucial in attracting investment, promoting economic growth, and improving the well-being of consumers across the region. Further developments will likely focus on the implementation of the policies discussed at the seminar and ongoing capacity building for competition authorities.
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