Abuja:The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and China have reaffirmed their dedication to enhancing cooperation in areas such as regional integration, peace, security, and sustainable development. This commitment was highlighted during a courtesy visit by Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Yu Dunhai, to ECOWAS Commission President, Gen. Birame Diop, in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Diop praised China as a reliable partner for Africa, commending its long-standing diplomatic engagement with the continent. He emphasized the importance of China’s respectful diplomatic approach, which honors the sovereignty and political choices of partner nations.
Diop called for expanded cooperation between China and ECOWAS member states in sectors including education, infrastructure, security, digitalization, and agriculture. He stressed the need for practical initiatives that deliver measurable benefits to citizens and strengthen the commission’s capacity to fulfill its regional mandate, translating diplomatic commitments into tangible improvements for West Africans.
Ambassador Yu affirmed China’s commitment to ECOWAS and its member states, highlighting the importance of deepening mutually beneficial cooperation guided by respect and dignity. He reiterated China’s priority in its relations with ECOWAS and its dedication to achieving tangible development outcomes in the region.
A significant milestone in the partnership was China’s funding and handover of the new ECOWAS headquarters in Abuja, a multimillion-dollar project providing a modern working environment to support regional integration efforts. The renewed commitment underscores the importance of sustained partnerships in addressing regional challenges and promoting peace, stability, and inclusive development across West Africa.