China Donate Brand New Car to ECOWAS, Deepens Regional Development Cooperation. By Raymond Enoch
Te Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, has received a brand-new car from the People’s Republic of China to
reinforce its growing diplomatic and technical cooperation with the regional Institution. The vehicle was officially handed over on Thursday, December 4, 2025, in Abuja during the visit of the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS.
ECOWAS officials described the gesture as a symbolic show of support from Beijing, coming at a time when both parties are expanding institutional and development partnerships across West Africa. The donation complements a wave of Chinese-backed projects targeting regional integration, infrastructural development, and operational efficiency within ECOWAS.
One of the most visible examples is the ongoing construction of the new ECOWAS headquarters in Abuja — an imposing and modern building known as the “Eye of West Africa.” Located along the airport road, the facility is being sponsored as a grant through the China International Development Cooperation Agency (China Aid). Construction began in November 2022 and is expected to be completed and delivered by the end of January 2026.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, noted that the new building will consolidate ECOWAS operations, reduce costs, and boost productivity. “Currently, the Commission operates from several dispersed locations in Abuja. Bringing our staff under one roof will not only enhance efficiency but also support our regional integration mission,” he said.
During the Abuja meeting, Dr. Touray and the Chinese ambassador commended the excellent relations between West Africa and China, reaffirming commitments to peace, economic development, and shared prosperity. The Chinese envoy reiterated Beijing’s continued support for unity, security, and infrastructure development across the region, describing West Africa as a strategic partner in Africa’s growth.
Both leaders also discussed broader geopolitical priorities, including security and governance challenges facing West African countries. Dr. Touray seized the moment to renew Africa’s long-standing demand for permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council, stressing that the continent must have a stronger voice in global decision-making.
The meeting concluded with an exchange of gifts between the two leaders — a symbolic expression of what officials described as mutually beneficial, respectful, and forward-looking cooperation.
The car donation, observers say, may be modest in scale but speaks to a much larger dynamic: China’s entrenched presence in West Africa and ECOWAS’s ambition to strengthen partnerships that advance peace, economic integration, and sustainable development in the region.
