China is cementing its image as a lasting partner across Africa by gifting high-profile infrastructure, such as presidential palaces and parliament buildings.
A key example is the new US$32 million Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) headquarters in Abuja. Funded by China and set for handover by the end of January, this centralised complex for the 15-member bloc aims to boost staff productivity and cut operational costs.
On December 4, Chinese ambassador to Nigeria Yu Dunhai visited the site to review progress and met Ecowas Commission President Dr Omar Touray.
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Yu hailed the building as a “landmark project of bilateral cooperation” and a strong example of South-South cooperation. Touray, in turn, said the construction, which began in 2022, symbolised “Beijing’s commitment” to regional integration.
The Chinese-built headquarters is being completed amid military takeovers across West Africa’s “coup belt”, including just recently in Guinea-Bissau and an attempted coup in Benin.
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Observers said the Ecowas headquarters was a striking example of Chinese “palace or building diplomacy” . Reports show that since 2000, Beijing has bankrolled the construction or renovation of nearly 200 government complexes.
