African Renaissance Monument

Description

The African Renaissance Monument (French: Monument de la Renaissance Africaine) is a 52-metre (171 ft) tall bronze statue located on top of one of the twin hills known as Collines des Mamelles, outside Dakar, Senegal. Built overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in the Ouakam suburb, the statue was designed by the Senegalese architect Pierre Goudiaby after an idea presented by President Abdoulaye Wade, and built by Mansudae Overseas Projects, a monument construction company from North Korea.

Site preparation atop the 100-metre (330 ft) hill began in 2006, and construction of the bronze statue began in 2008. Originally scheduled for completion in December 2009, delays stretched into early 2010, and the formal dedication occurred on 4 April 2010, Senegal's "National Day", commemorating the 50th anniversary of the country's independence from France. It is the tallest statue in Africa.