The Cape Verdean National Assembly building in the capital, Praia, has re-opened after 18 months of renovation work, Lusa reports.

The Portuguese news agency says China paid for the renovation, the work being part of the Sino-Cape Verdean co-operation programme.

The report says the work gave the main debating chamber a semicircular layout. The chamber will be used when the legislature reconvenes on January 22.

Fences in front of the building will be removed to create a public square with free Wi-Fi.

Chinese money was also used to construct the building, which first opened in 1985, Lusa says.