President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, has described China as West Africa’s most strategic partner, adding that China’s multifaceted engagement with the sub-region would continue to deepen.
Mr Touray stated this at the handover ceremony of a new multimillion dollar ECOWAS headquarters complex, funded and built for the commission by China.
He recalled that China had in the past partnered ECOWAS in numerous areas, including strategic military equipment assistance and vehicles to support the deployment of the ECOWAS Standby Force activities.
“We may recall that this is not the first time the Chinese Government has partnered ECOWAS to deepen our regional integration efforts.
“In the not-too-distant past, the Government of the Peoples Republic of China provided some very important strategic support to our regional peace and security efforts.
“This and many more support spread around our Member States, make China a very strategic partner to West Africa,” he said.
Touray noted that the new ECOWAS Headquarters Complex would serve as a fitting instrument to drive regional integration process, foster enhanced peace and prosperity for all ECOWAS citizens.
“As we accept the keys to the new ECOWAS Headquarters today, we are reminded of the legacy of our Founding Fathers, the Giants who established this remarkable Regional Community.
“We pledge to create an even greater legacy for those who will follow us, and for future generations, as we hold regional engagements on the ECOWAS of the Future,” he added.
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Yu Dunhai, said the project marked a historic moment in the three-decade old relationship between China and the sub-region.
He recalled that over the years, the relationship between the two sides had continued to flourish on the principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation.
“Our cooperation is beyond traditional infrastructure. Now we expand our cooperation in the digital economy, green economy and modern agriculture,” he said.
Nigeria’s Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, described ECOWAS as Africa’s most dynamic regional bloc, renowned for its contributions to conflict prevention, peacekeeping, democratic governance and humanitarian response.
She added that the new ECOWAS Headquarters Complex would strengthen institutional effectiveness and improve collaboration among member states in responding to regional and global challenges.
“The construction and delivery of this iconic edifice stands as a powerful symbol of the deepening ties between Africa and China, anchored on mutual respect, shared prosperity and South-South cooperation,” she said.
The project was executed by Chinese Contractor, Shaanxi Construction Engineering Group Corporation (SCEGC).
Work began on the new edifice in 2023, was constructed at the cost of about 56 million dollars, and completed within two years.
China built the ECOWAS new headquarters, as it did for the African Union’s Headquarters in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia, in line with its principle of South-South shared cooperation, development and friendship.
The facility, which has a car parking area that can accommodate about 702 vehicles is designed to accommodate all personnel of the ECOWAS Commission, along with some of its Project Staff.
It has a two-story Conference Centre, 800-seating capacity, state-of-the-art interpretation equipment, audiovisual speakers, rotating seats, modern press briefing area, meeting rooms with interpretation facilities, and a training room, among others.
