The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) is set to receive a new headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, funded by China at a cost of US$32 million. Construction began in 2022 and is scheduled for handover by the end of January. The project symbolizes deepening ties between China and West Africa.
The new Ecowas headquarters in Abuja is a centralized complex for the 15-member bloc, designed to boost staff productivity and cut operational costs. On December 4, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Yu Dunhai visited the site to review progress and met with Ecowas Commission President Dr Omar Touray.
Yu hailed the building as a “landmark project of bilateral cooperation” and a strong example of South-South cooperation. Touray, in turn, said the construction, which began in 2022, symbolised “Beijing’s commitment” to regional integration.
Beijing’s strategy to project influence through gifting prestigious presidential palaces and parliamentary buildings has been labelled “unique”. This Ecowas headquarters serves as the latest concrete symbol of such ties, further strengthening China’s relations with West Africa. The project is expected to provide better facilities for regional cooperation.
