China has officially handed over a new headquarters complex to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja, delivering a $56.57 million facility fully funded by the Chinese government.
The handover ceremony, held as ECOWAS celebrates its 50th anniversary, was attended by senior government officials, diplomats and development partners, who described the project as a major milestone for the regional bloc and a testament to the strengthening partnership between West Africa and China.
ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, said the event marked the completion and transfer of the headquarters, while the formal inauguration is expected later this year. He disclosed that Sierra Leone’s President and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Julius Maada Bio, alongside Bola Tinubu and other regional leaders, would officially commission the complex.
Touray noted that construction began in October 2023 after China provided 368 million Renminbi, equivalent to $56.57 million, and praised the Chinese government and contractors for completing the project within two years despite its scale and complexity.
He described China as one of West Africa’s key development partners, highlighting its support for infrastructure development as well as previous contributions of military equipment and vehicles for regional peace and security operations.
The new headquarters features modern office buildings, meeting rooms equipped with interpretation systems, an 800-seat conference centre, a clinic, gymnasium, daycare centre, restaurants, banking facilities, exhibition spaces and parking for more than 700 vehicles.
According to Touray, the complex will accommodate all ECOWAS Commission staff and serve as a hub for advancing regional integration, peace and prosperity across member states.
Representing President Tinubu at the ceremony, Vice President Kashim Shettima described the building as more than an architectural achievement, saying it symbolises renewal, resilience and hope for West Africa.
He said the headquarters reflects a renewed commitment to regional integration, solidarity and shared prosperity, while acknowledging persistent challenges such as terrorism, violent extremism, food insecurity, climate change, economic vulnerability and youth unemployment.
Tinubu also urged ECOWAS member states to prioritise industrialisation, manufacturing, innovation and stronger regional value chains, stressing that sustainable economic growth depends on increasing regional production rather than reliance on imports.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation and called for continued dialogue with countries that have exited the bloc.
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Yu Dunhai, described the headquarters as a flagship project under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), saying it reflects the enduring friendship between China and Africa.
He reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting ECOWAS through investments in infrastructure, the digital economy, agriculture, food security, trade, education, culture, youth development and sports, expressing hope that the new headquarters would contribute to greater peace, unity and prosperity across West Africa.
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