Chinese Government provides RMB 100 million grant for the Kégué Stadium Rehabilitation Project (Linked Record ID#72430 and #72431)

Project narrative

On March 14, 2016 and September 31, 2016, the Chinese Government and the Government of Togo signed an letters of exchange related to the Kégué Stadium Rehabilitation Project. Then, on June 6, 2017, the Chinese Government and the Government of Togo signed another cooperation agreement related to the project. In this agreement, China agreed to provide a RMB 100 million (or FCFA 20 billion) grant for the project. China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) was the source of funding. The project involved the renovations to Kégué Stadium (French: Stade de Kégué) in the capital city of Lomé. The stadium covered an area of 14.5 hectares and had a capacity of 30,000 people. The total construction area was 36,104 square meters. The stadium needed renovations because it had become severely corroded by salt spray, strong ultraviolet rays, and technical difficulties. The project specifically renovated the track, the locker rooms, the sprinkler system and turf of the soccer field, the electronic clock and scoring system, the broadcasting and sound system, the large display screen, the furniture in the locker rooms, and the ventilation and air-conditioning system. It also involved maintenance on the external roads, masts, and supports. This project would allow the stadium to comply with the standards set by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). China Geo-Engineering Corporation was the contractor responsible for project implementation. It was awarded a MOFCOM contract on September 20, 2017. Sixth Design and Research Institute of Machinery Industry (a subsidiary of China Machinery Industry Corporation) was responsible for the design and management of the project. Beijing Pan-China Sports Industry Co. Ltd., China Railway Engineering Design Consulting Group Co. Ltd., SIPPR Engineering Group Co. Ltd., and the Ministry of Communication, Sports and Citizenship Education of the Republic of Togo were also involved in the project. The groundbreaking ceremony of the stadium's rehovation was held on December 12, 2017. MOFCOM undertook a final project inspection between June 15 and 17, 2019. Renovation works were completed on July 3, 2019. The first soccer game in the renovated stadium took place on July 27, 2019. The final handover ceremony for the stadium was held on September 5, 2019. The Chinese Government previously provided financial support for the construction of Kégué Stadium, which was completed in 2000, as captured by linked Record ID#72430. It has also provided technical support since September 2000, as captured by linked Record ID#72431.