The Chinese government is wholly funding the construction of what will be, upon completion, Africa’s largest university library, at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. It is estimated to cost US$ 40m.
The new development is projected to accommodate over 800,000 books and be able to house approximately 6,000 people. The building will double as a library and resource centre and include a conference room and Confucius Centre that will accommodate 2,100 and 500 people respectively. The ground breaking ceremony was attended by dignitaries including former President Jakaya Kikwete and the current President John Magufuli.
Tanzanian Minister for Education, Science, Technology and Vocational Training, Prof. Joyce Ndalichako, acknowledged the government’s commitment and support towards the construction of the library, saying it was a top priority on the country’s industrial economy process. The Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, Dr. Lu Youqing, expressed their continued support to Tanzania, saying that the two countries had cooperated for over 50 years.
