THE Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) yesterday formally took possession of its new headquarters complex in Abuja, a $56.57 million facility funded by the Government of China.

The handover ceremony, held as ECOWAS marks its 50th anniversary, drew senior government officials, diplomats and development partners, with speakers hailing the completion of the complex as a milestone in the bloc’s history and a proof to the growing partnership between West Africa and China.

President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, said the ceremony marked the completion and handover of the buildings, noting that the formal inauguration would take place later this year.

He disclosed that Sierra Leonean President and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Julius Maada Bio, alongside President Bola Tinubu and other regional leaders, would officially commission the complex.

Touray recalled that construction began in October 2023 after China provided 368 million Renminbi, equivalent to $56.57 million, for the project.

He praised the Chinese government and contractors for completing the headquarters within two years, describing the feat as remarkable for a project of such scale and complexity.

“Considering the time usually taken to complete infrastructure projects of this magnitude and complexity, the completion of this ECOWAS Headquarters Complex within two years is highly commendable,” he said.

The ECOWAS Commission president expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping for supporting the project and described China as one of West Africa’s most strategic development partners.

According to him, China’s support extends beyond infrastructure, recalling the country’s previous assistance to ECOWAS through the provision of military equipment and vehicles for regional peace and security operations.

Touray said the new headquarters was designed to accommodate all ECOWAS Commission personnel and includes modern office blocks, meeting rooms equipped with interpretation systems, an 800-seat conference centre, a clinic, gymnasium, daycare centre, restaurants, banks, exhibition spaces and parking facilities for more than 700 vehicles.

“As we accept the keys to the new ECOWAS Headquarters today, we are reminded of the legacy of our founding fathers,” Touray said.

He added that the building would serve as “a fitting instrument to drive the regional integration process, fostering enhanced peace and prosperity for all ECOWAS citizens.”

Speaking at the event, President Bola Tinubu, described the new headquarters as more than an architectural achievement, saying it reflected the collective aspirations of West Africa.

“This magnificent edifice, aptly described as the Eye of Africa, stands before us as a symbol of renewal, resilience and hope,” he said.

Represented by the Vice-President Kashim Shettima, the President said the building represented a renewed commitment to the ideals of regional integration, solidarity and shared prosperity, adding that ECOWAS had emerged as one of the world’s most respected regional economic communities after five decades of promoting peace, democracy and economic cooperation.

However, he observed that the region still faces significant challenges, including terrorism, violent extremism, food insecurity, climate change, economic vulnerability and growing youth unemployment.

According to him, the next phase of regional integration must prioritise industrialisation, manufacturing, innovation and stronger regional value chains.

“Our integration must increasingly be driven by what we produce, rather than by what we consume,” Tinubu said.

He argued that a region dependent on imported goods would remain vulnerable and urged member states to transform the ECOWAS market into a regional production base capable of creating jobs and sustaining economic growth.

The President also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation, saying the community’s doors should remain open to countries that had chosen to leave the bloc while encouraging continued dialogue and solidarity.

Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Yu Dunhai, said the headquarters represented another major milestone in China’s support for African integration.

He described the complex as a flagship project under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and a powerful symbol of the enduring friendship between China and Africa.

“This modern architectural marvel, hailed as the Eye of West Africa, stands as a flagship project under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation,” Yu said.

He reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting ECOWAS in promoting regional peace, development and improved livelihoods.

According to the ambassador, China would continue implementing initiatives agreed under the FOCAC framework, with emphasis on infrastructure, digital economy, agriculture, food security, trade and investment.

He also pledged stronger cooperation in education, culture, youth development and sports to deepen people-to-people ties between China and Africa.

“As the Eye of West Africa officially begins its service, may this marvellous edifice serve as a new dawn for West Africa’s peace, unity and prosperity,” Yu said.