Africa is a continent in constant evolution, especially when it comes to major engineering and architectural works. From museums to stadiums, libraries to dams, many African nations are investing heavily in infrastructure.
Here are some remarkable examples that have come to life across the continent.
1. Gibe III Hydropower Plant, Ethiopia
The Gibe III Hydropower Plant, built by Webuild along the Omo River in Ethiopia, stands as one of the country’s most significant architectural works.
Rising 250 meters high, the hydroelectric dam created a vast artificial reservoir and a hydroelectric power station capable of delivering renewable energy to millions of people. It is a project that not only drives Ethiopia’s economic and energy growth but also strengthens its path toward more sustainable development.
2. Zeitz MOCAA (Museum of Contemporary Art Africa), Cape Town, South Africa
Opened in 2017, the Zeitz MOCAA is the Cape Town museum that is now the world’s largest museum dedicated to contemporary African art.
Housed in a former grain silo built in the 1920s, this South African museum’s building was reimagined by Heatherwick Studio, which preserved its industrial character while creating striking, light-filled spaces centered around a vast, cathedral-like atrium.
Spanning nine floors and more than 6,000 square meters of exhibition space for African artworks and African artists, the Zeitz MOCAA also features a sculpture garden, dining areas, and a hotel. It was included in the prestigious RIBA International List in 2018.
3. Stade Paul Biya, Yaoundé, Camerun
Inaugurated in 2021, the Paul Biya Stadium in Yaoundé is one of Africa’s most modern sports venues and a symbol of Cameroon’s ambition.
With a capacity of around 60,000 spectators, it was designed to host major international events such as the Africa Cup of Nations, standing out for its contemporary design and elegant roof structure that make it an architectural landmark.
Beyond its sporting role, the stadium serves as a catalyst for local development, creating new economic and social opportunities while strengthening the country’s position as a hub for sporting and cultural events.
4. Carlton Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa
Completed in 1974, the Carlton Centre in Johannesburg is a 223-meter, 50-story modernist skyscraper that held the title of Africa’s tallest building for decades.
Built in reinforced concrete and clad in gray granite, it was conceived as a multifunctional hub with offices, a vast underground shopping mall, and the prestigious Carlton Hotel. Its top floor is home to the famous “Top of Africa,” offering a 360-degree panoramic view of the city.
A symbol of South Africa’s rapid urban and economic growth in the 1970s, the Carlton Centre building remains an architectural icon that shaped Johannesburg’s skyline and the rise of Africa’s major cities.
5. Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Alexandria, Egypt
Inaugurated in 2002 in Alexandria, Egypt, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina is one of the Mediterranean’s most important libraries and a contemporary architectural design landmark.
Conceived as the symbolic heir to the ancient Library of Alexandria, its circular, tilted design evokes the image of a rising sun over the sea, while its Aswan granite façade is inscribed with characters from cultures around the world.
Beyond housing millions of books, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina includes museums, galleries, a planetarium, and conference halls, establishing itself as a cultural hub and a place of dialogue between past and future, ancient knowledge and global learning.
6. Aswan High Dam, Egypt
Inaugurated in 1970 on the Nile, the Aswan High Dam in Africa is one of Egypt’s most significant engineering achievements.
Standing 111 meters tall with a generating capacity of about 2,100 MW, the Egyptian high dam created Lake Nasser, a vast reservoir that transformed irrigation, hydroelectric energy production, and flood control.
From the vision of Gamal Abdel Nasser, the Aswan High Dam’s goal was to turn large desert areas into farmland and provide electricity to much of the population.
