The new headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja, Nigeria, is nearing completion and is expected to be operational by March 2026. The facility will serve as the home for the ECOWAS Commission, Parliament, and Court of Justice.
A delegation from the ECOWAS Commission management, led by President Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, visited the construction site on January 29, 2026. During this visit, it was disclosed that construction progress had reached 96%, with remaining work focused on general refurbishment, defect rectification, testing, and commissioning.
The complex is situated on a seven-hectare plot along the road to Abuja Airport. Known as the ‘Eye of West Africa’, the project has been fully funded and constructed by the People’s Republic of China through its China International Development Cooperation Agency (China Aid).
Designed as a modern administrative center for ECOWAS operations, the headquarters includes a main building with three restaurants or cafeterias, banking rooms, a crèche, a gymnasium, and three blocks containing 899 workstations. Block A consists of eleven floors while Blocks B and C each have eight floors.
Additional features include a multi-purpose building equipped with security facilities and shops; water storage and archive rooms; parking for up to 702 vehicles; an auditorium seating 720 people; two committee rooms; a conference room; equipment room; guard posts; and a helipad.
According to officials from ECOWAS and China involved in the project, the headquarters represents strengthened cooperation between China and ECOWAS. The initiative forms part of ongoing technical and institutional partnerships aimed at supporting ECOWAS’s operational capacity.
President Dr. Omar Alieu Touray stated: “The new ECOWAS headquarters complex will enable greater operational efficiency, reduced costs and increased staff productivity.” Both Dr. Touray and Vice-President Ms Damtien Larbli Tchintchibidja expressed gratitude to China for its commitment to regional integration efforts: “ECOWAS’ deep gratitude and sincere appreciation to China for its commitment and support to the regional organisation through the construction of this jewel, seen as a ‘symbol of Beijing’s commitment’ to West African integration.”