Kagame Built The Most Expensive Building In Africa

By David Himbara

President Paul Kagame built the most expensive building in Africa. Here are the top five buildings in Africa based on how much they cost to build. Kagame’s Kigali Convention Centre tops them all. The other buildings are located in South Africa, Egypt, Libya, and Ethiopia. Kagame definitely has taste and style – and thinks big, as he likes to say. But he borrowed heavily to do this – no less that $400 Million Eurobond, of which $300 Million went to the building.

The most expensive building in Africa is Kagame’s Kigali Convention Centre (KCC) at $300 Million

 

KCC hosts a 5-star hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel Kigali, with 292 rooms on six floors. The conference center has a seating capacity of 2,600 people.

Number 2 Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Egypt, cost $220 Million

 

It is a major library and cultural center. The library has shelf space for eight million books. The complex also houses a conference center, four museums, and four art galleries.

Number 3 is African Union’s Conference Center and Office Complex which cost $200 Million.

 

Located in Addis Ababa, the complex is the headquarters of the African Union. It accommodates, among other facilities, a 2,500-seat plenary hall and a 20-story office.

Number 4 is Corinthia Hotel Tripoli at $152 Million

 

Based in Tripoli, Libya, the 319 room Corinthia Hotel Tripoli located in the heart of the city centre.

Number 5 is The Pearls of Umhlanga at a cost of $138 Million

 

The Pearls of Umhlanga is a 31-floor Dubai-style luxury residential and retail project. It is located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Has Kagame’s $300 Million KCC made a difference in terms of tourism receipts? Next, we will look at tourism in Rwanda…Stay tuned.