China hands over $56.5m ECOWAS headquarters in Nigeria

China has handed over a $56.5 million headquarters for the Economic Community of West African States, aiming to strengthen regional integration and enhance coordination across the bloc's 15 member states.

The nine-story complex in Abuja, Nigeria, a flagship project under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation framework, was completed within two years following its groundbreaking ceremony in October 2023.

Omar Alieu Touray, president of the ECOWAS Commission, said that the new headquarters is designed as a fully integrated complex to accommodate commission staff members and project personnel, improving workflow and institutional coordination.

"This facility will significantly enhance ECOWAS operational capacity and support regional development," Touray said during the launch in Nigeria's capital on Tuesday.

Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, Nigeria's minister for foreign affairs, said the project represents more than a physical structure but a consolidation of regional unity and institutional strength.

She reiterated Nigeria's commitment to ECOWAS and commended China for its ongoing partnership with Africa.

The building also has a two-story conference center with a capacity to accommodate up to 800 participants and fitted with advanced audiovisual systems, rotation seats, interpretation booths, media centers and dedicated training facilities.