Tinubu Calls for West Africa Production Boom as China-Built ECOWAS Headquarters Opens

President Bola Tinubu has called on West African countries to transform the region from a consumer market into a major production hub, saying deeper industrialisation and stronger regional cooperation are essential to achieving lasting prosperity and security.

Tinubu made the call on Thursday during the inauguration of the new headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja, a landmark complex financed and donated by the Government of China.

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the President described the new headquarters popularly referred to as the "Eye of Africa" as a symbol of renewed commitment to regional integration, peace, economic transformation and shared prosperity.

"Today marks not only the inauguration of an impressive landmark, but the renewal of a covenant our covenant with the ideals of regional integration, solidarity and shared prosperity," Tinubu said.

The President said ECOWAS has remained one of the world's most respected regional economic blocs, citing its achievements in peacebuilding, democratic governance, economic cooperation and the free movement of people, goods and services.

He, however, warned that the region continues to face significant challenges, including terrorism, violent extremism, food insecurity, climate change, economic vulnerability, public health concerns and rising youth unemployment.

According to him, the next phase of regional integration must focus on economic productivity rather than consumption.

"The hour has come to transform our regional market into a regional production base. Our integration must increasingly be driven by what we produce rather than by what we consume, for a community that consumes what it does not make will forever live at the mercy of the goodwill of others," he said.

Tinubu urged member states to prioritise industrialisation, manufacturing, innovation, regional value chains, investment and increased intra-African trade to strengthen the bloc's economy.

The President also addressed the recent withdrawal of three member states from ECOWAS, saying the development and evolving security challenges demonstrate that regional integration extends beyond economics.

"Regional integration can no longer be an economic imperative alone. It has become a comprehensive framework for our collective security, our political stability, our sustainable development and the welfare of our peoples," he said.

He stressed that ECOWAS should continue to keep its doors open to countries that have left the bloc, calling for sustained dialogue, solidarity and collective responsibility.

Tinubu commended Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio, Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, for providing leadership during what he described as a challenging period for the regional organisation.

He also congratulated the ECOWAS Commission for completing the headquarters project and expressed appreciation to the Chinese government, Shaanxi Construction Engineering Group Company Limited, consultants and other stakeholders involved in delivering the facility.

"May every decision taken within these walls advance the peace, the unity, the prosperity and the dignity of the peoples of West Africa," he said.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Bio described the new headquarters as an opportunity for member states to renew their commitment to the more than 450 million people of West Africa and strengthen the regional body.

He thanked Nigeria for its sustained financial contributions and leadership within ECOWAS, describing the country as "a great anchor" of the regional bloc.

Bio also expressed appreciation to the Government of China for donating the headquarters building.

President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, said the new complex would serve as a centre for regional coordination and integration, while reaffirming the Commission's commitment to ensuring it becomes a catalyst for regional development and stability.

He praised China for its longstanding support to ECOWAS, including assistance in peacekeeping, technology and institutional development, describing Beijing as one of the bloc's key strategic partners.

Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Yu Dunhai, said the inauguration reflects China's continued commitment to Africa's integration and development.

He said future cooperation between China, ECOWAS and Africa would continue to be based on mutual trust and practical partnerships that enable African countries to pursue their own development priorities independently.