Abuja, 10th of July, 2019. The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the People’s Republic of China have on the 10th of July 2019 in Abuja, Nigeria signed an implementation agreement for the realisation of the Commission’s new headquarters building.

Signing the agreement at a brief ceremony on behalf of the ECOWAS Commission, the President of the Commission Jean-Claude Kassi Brou stated that the implementation agreement clarifies, among others, “all that needs to be done” through the various phases to the commissioning of the edifice.

He maintained that with commitment to the project work plan, the new building will come to fruition as planned in aid of greater efficiency and service delivery to the regional community.

The Economic and Commercial Counsellor Mr. Zhao Linxiang who signed on behalf of the Chinese Authorities expressed delight that the project was on course while reiterating the existing excellent relations between China and the ECOWAS Commission.

The signing agreement under the purview of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, is part of China’s assistance towards the strengthening of ECOWAS-China cooperation through concrete commitments made by China to the financing and building of the region’s infrastructure.

The ceremony marks a successful conclusion of negotiations which began seven years ago and represents a statement of intent that is to lead to a foundation stone laying event billed for the end of 2019 while main construction work on site commences in January 2020.