How China-built Ecowas headquarters is latest ‘concrete symbol’ of Africa ties
Beijing’s strategy to project influence through gifting prestigious presidential palaces and parliamentary buildings labelled ‘unique’
A key example is the new US$32 million Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) headquarters in Abuja. Funded by China and set for handover by the end of January, this centralised complex for the 15-member bloc aims 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 the president of the Ecowas Commission, 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.