By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

The Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS has officially taken delivery of its new headquarters complex in Abuja, a 56.57 million dollar China funded project designed to boost regional integration, institutional efficiency, and coordination across member states.

Speaking at the handover ceremony on Tuesday in Abuja, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, said the occasion marks a significant milestone for the bloc.

He recalled that the groundbreaking ceremony for the project was held in October 2023, noting that it was completed in about two years, a timeline he described as highly commendable for a project of such scale and complexity.

He added that the completion reflects strong cooperation between ECOWAS and its partners.

According to him, the project was financed by the Government of the People’s Republic of China, which provided about 368 million RMB equivalent to 56.57 million dollars.

The construction was executed by Shaanxi Construction Engineering Group Corporation, while supervision was handled by Chinese and international consultants, including SIPPR and AIM Consultancy.

Toure explained that the new headquarters is designed as a fully integrated complex to accommodate Commission staff and project personnel, improving workflow and institutional coordination.

He said the headquarters will serve as a major instrument for advancing regional integration, peace, and economic cooperation across West Africa.

China’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, said the building stands as a landmark symbol of China West Africa cooperation.

He described it as a modern, intelligent and multi functional facility that reflects both Chinese engineering and West African cultural identity.

He also noted that it will enhance ECOWAS operational capacity and support regional development.

In her remarks, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, said the project represents more than a physical structure but a consolidation of regional unity and institutional strength.

She reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to ECOWAS under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and praised China for its continued partnership with Africa.

The new complex includes a central office block with nine floors, flanked by two wings of seven floors each. It features meeting rooms on every floor with interpretation systems, archives, kitchenettes, coffee and tea areas, as well as support facilities.

On the ground floor, the facility houses a clinic, gym, banks, shops, restaurants with modern kitchens, a server room, observatory, daycare centre for nursing mothers, and an exhibition area.

It also includes a two story conference centre with 800 seating capacity, modern audiovisual systems, interpretation facilities, rotating seats, press briefing rooms, and training spaces. Additional facilities include maintenance rooms, security quarters, driver accommodation, archives, storage areas, and a parking space for about 702 vehicles.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari was also acknowledged for initiating the project during the groundbreaking ceremony in 2022.