It cost $200million and i am quite sure Nigeria, South Africa, Angola , Algeria and the nations that contribute most to the AU budget could afford it, but the moment China came bearing gifts they couldn't resist.China built it, so it wouldn't be a surprise really.
Somehow someway, we have to be able to build /manage our own stuff. Otherwise it's all open doors to various shady stuff. There aren't any friends in international relations.
I take the story with a grain of salt, China seems to deny it and some African govt are saying it isnt true