Chinese Stadium Diplomacy in Ethiopia: Cost Overruns and Delays

 The Diplomat published on 31 January 2025 a commentary titled "Chinese Stadium Diplomacy in Africa, Pt 2: Adey Ababa Stadium in Ethiopia" by Istvan Tarrosy and Zoltan Voros. 

The 62,000-seat capacity stadium in Addis Ababa has faced problems since its initiation in 2016.  Chinese State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) was supposed to finish the stadium in September 2022.  Cost overruns and currency devaluation caused disagreements that led to termination of the contract with CSCEC in February 2023.  Ethiopia signed a new contract with China Communications Construction Company.  Although the project has restarted, cost questions remain, and progress is slow.  

Public Private Partnership Behind Chinese Financing of Kenyan Stadium

 The Diplomat published on 24 January 2025 a commentary titled "China's Stadium Diplomacy in Africa, Pt. 1: The Talanta Sports Stadium in Nairobi" by Istvan Tarrosy and Zoltan Voros.  

The China Road and Bridge Corporation is constructing a 60,000-capacity sports stadium in Nairobi to be ready for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027.  Financing details have not been made public, but the project is based on a public private partnership model, which is attracting increasing interest in Chinese financing.