African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa to expand.

28 May, 2007

Work is underway to build additional offices and residential accommodation for the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa. Building is on a plot donated by the city council in the Kirkos district near Kera, not far from the AU headquartes on nearby Roosevelt Street. The land used to be the location of the state penitentiary, which has been transferred to Kaliti in the southern part of the city. The new development will include office buildings, housing for the deputy chairperson and commissioners and accommodation for the diplomatic missions. It is being built and paid for by the Chinese government at a cost of $150 million.

The Ethiopian capital has hosted the headquarters of the AU (formerly the Organization of African Union) since 1963. It is also the headquarters of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, earning it the reputation of