VIDEO: Africa’s third tallest building opened in Ethiopia: Five facts about the edifice

Africa’s third tallest building was over the weekend inaugurated in the city of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia – the seat of the African Union.

In attendance was Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and a government delegation given the significance of the building to the country’s economic structure and development.

“It is delighting to see that Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, on its 80th anniversary completed this state-of-the-art building. In order for our banks to compete with international banks, they need far more modernization in terms of manpower and operation aside erecting such magnificent buildings,” PM Abiy posted on Twitter.

Below are five facts about the building:

1 – It is a structure belonging to the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, the largest commercial bank in the country.

2 – The building is over 209 meters tall and has 53 floors with a total built-up area of 165,476.4 square meters.

3 – According to reports, it cost over US$303 million and was built over seven years.

4 – It was constructed by Chinese firm, China State Construction Engineering Corporation, CSCEC

5 – It is the tallest building in East Africa. It has a “diamond coat” with a tower facade height of 209.15 meters.