Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Free gift? China extends influence in Africa with $32M grant for regional HQ
Established in 1975, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a 15-member regional group to promote economic integration between the member states.
The 15 member countries of the ECOWAS are Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d’ Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Togo. ( Map : How many of these do you recognize?)
Now a new headquarters of the organization is going to be built in Abuja, Nigeria with a grant from China. The organization says the $31.6 million grant is China’s goodwill, and they will promote future ECOWAS-China cooperation.
Is this the same kind of grant that an educational institution is given to build a library or to initiate a research project? Between countries, there always are trades and exchanges. What sort of return will the organization be expected for the new facility? Will that be a good deal?
Enjoy reading and think if this grant is an aid or aim.
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