"But the real question is 60 years after independence (for most member states), why does ECOWAS think it's acceptable for a foreign power to build its headquarters?" ECOWAS and the Chinese Ministry for Foreign Affairs did not respond to CNN's requests for comment. Why did ECOWAS accept? ECOWAS was established in 1975 to foster economic integration and collective self-sufficiency in West Africa. Its 15 member states include one of Africa's biggest economies by GDP Nigeria, causing Taylor and others to ask why ECOWAS isn't self-funding the facility. Had the members split the bill, it would have cost just over $2 million each. Philip Olayoku, project manager at the Abuja-based Information Aid Network,....https://edition.cnn.com/2018/03/27/asia/ecowas-china-headquarters-intl/

So they can bug the building and listen to every conversation.

African leader are the most greedy and selfish people on earth and the would rather eat that 2 million dollars than use it build anything useful ..

But come to think of it, the west has never helped any African country without strings attached, Libya easily comes to mind. Obama's legacy to Africa. The West are more interested in making and keeping Africa as their sources for raw material for their industries. And also promoting corruption in Africa by encouraging our leaders to launder monies meant for development into their banks to foster development in their own country.

Why was the question not asked when China built the Au headquarters?