Under the framework of China-Africa cooperation, China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) has spearheaded numerous sustainable projects across African nations, contributing to their socio-economic development. The rehabilitation works on four Senegalese stadiums are a prime example of these efforts.
The project involves the renovation and upgrading of outdoor facilities, sports infrastructure, architectural decoration, and electrical systems for Leopold Sedar Senghor in Dakar, Aline Sitoe Diatta in Ziguinchor, Lamine Gueye in Kaolack and Ely Manel Fall in Diourbel. Among them, Leopold Sedar Senghor, located in the capital city Dakar, with a capacity of around 60,000 seats, is currently Senegal’s largest comprehensive sports stadium. After the renovation, it will serve as the venue for Senegal to host the 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
During an inspection, Yankhoba Diattara, then Senegal’s Sports Minister, remarked that the project repositioned Senegal as the sports hub of the African continent, bringing development to the nation and its youth.
The project has also made significant contributions to local talent development. Initiatives such as the Up We Build programme have trained a cohort of local managers and technical personnel, and the project has created over a thousand jobs for the local community.
Abdou, a local employee, shared, “This job not only provided me with career development opportunities but also changed my life.”
In addition to boosting local employment and income, the project team has proactively contributed to community development by levelling land for nearby schools, cleaning up surrounding neighbourhoods, and coordinating parking solutions for waste disposal companies.
