President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, has described China as West Africa’s most strategic partner, highlighting deepening cooperation between both sides.
He made the remarks during the handover ceremony of a new multimillion-dollar ECOWAS Headquarters Complex in Abuja, constructed and funded by the Government of China.
Touray noted that the partnership between ECOWAS and China has extended beyond infrastructure to include support in peace and security operations, including assistance for the ECOWAS Standby Force.
He said the new headquarters would strengthen regional integration and enhance efforts toward peace, stability, and prosperity across member states.
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Yu Dunhai, described the project as a milestone in China–West Africa relations, noting that cooperation has expanded into areas such as digital economy, green development, and modern agriculture.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, also commended the development, describing ECOWAS as one of Africa’s most dynamic regional blocs in peacekeeping, governance, and humanitarian response.
The new ECOWAS Headquarters Complex, built by Shaanxi Construction Engineering Group Corporation at a cost of about $56 million, was completed in two years. It includes modern conference facilities, offices, and a large-capacity parking system.
The facility is expected to enhance administrative efficiency and improve coordination among West African states.
