Stade d’Oyem – design description

One of two stadium commissioned to Chinese contractors ahead of the 2017 Cup of Nations. It’s being built in a place hard to understand, in a remote village of Ewormekok, some 15-17 km north of Oyem in northern Gabon.

With single-tiered stands rising to 19 meters it will be able to hold 20,000 people. All seats will be covered with a dynamic roof peaking at 30 meters. Despite lack of floodlight masts (initially planned), it’s bound to become the tallest building around, of course due to its location.

Construction was launched in September 2015, in the presence of president Ali Bongo, ministers and the national football team. Formal delivery is expected extremely late, in December of 2016, just a couple weeks before the tournament.

Along with additional infrastructure, including hotel and several playing courts, the stadium should cost XAF 36.3 billion ($60 million).