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The Mandate

Africa Hall, since its conception more than half a century ago, is a truly living symbol of African history, unity and culture. It also represents one of the most prominent examples of African Architectural Heritages.

The Hall, which is part of a collection of twenty buildings making up the ECA Compound, was built and donated by the Emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie in the early 1960s. The initial vocation of the building was to create a paramount place for African art and culture.

Along its lifetime, Africa Hall became a famous landmark venue for pan-African and African Renaissance events. It is the birthplace of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which is now the African Union (AU), and whose founding Charter was signed in the Hall in 1963.

Its actual status resulted more and more inadequate to respond at exigencies linked to its high function, particularly for high level meetings and conferences.

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The Africa Hall Project goal is to make the building safe and functionally operational, with a pristine original appearance by incorporating: 

  • Environmental sustainability 
  • Structural upgrading & fire protection 
  • Heritage conservation 
  • Occupant movement & safety 
  • Disabled access 
  • Building services & indoor environment quality 
  • Rejuvenated facility that comply with the highest international standards for conference. 
  • Africa Hall as a tourist destination and a centre for African Culture & Arts.  More...

Africa Hall Facilities    


 

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Africa Hall’s historical significance showcased by exhibition at Expo 2020 Dubai
Dubai, 16 March 2022 – The #UNHub at Expo 2020 Dubai’s Mission Possible – The Opportunity Pavilion featured an exhibition showcasing the significance and ongoing refurbishment plans of the iconic Africa Hall in Ethiopia’s capital city Addis Ababa.

ECA signs $28 million contract with supplier to commence Africa Hall renovations 

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, May 10, 2019 (ECA) – The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) on Friday signed a contract with three companies for the multi-million dollar works to revamp the historic Africa Hall. The contract value is US $ 28,209,539.57.

Ethiopia and ECA sign agreement to kick-start Africa Hall renovations 
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 13, 2018 (ECA) – The Economic Commission for Africa and Ethiopia on Friday signed an agreement marking the beginning of renovations to modernize the iconic Africa Hall, the birthplace of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) which is now the African Union.

Africa Hall advisory board holds first meeting 
Addis Ababa, 10 August 2017 (ECA) – Members of the newly constituted advisory board of the Africa Hall Renovation Project met on Thursday 10 August, 2017 at the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Addis Ababa to deliberate on their role in facilitating the project’s success. 

Ethiopia's President Mulatu Teshome extends support to preservation of Africa Hall 
Addis Ababa, 1 June 2016 (ECA) - The Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Mr. Carlos Lopes, met Ethiopia’s President Mulatu Teshome on 31 May 2016 to discuss progress on plans to renovate the iconic Africa Hall as part of a larger project to modernize the building and also create a visitor's centre experience on the grounds of the ECA.