French media group Vivendi said it is building 10 open-air theatres in Africa to "enhance access to culture and entertainment in countries frequently lacking such facilities."

The venues serve as theatres, concert halls and screening rooms and will be built in the coming months under the name CanalOlympia, the company's statement said.

The foundation stone of the first hall in Guinea's capital Conakry has already been laid. The other cities where the theatres will be built include Benin's main city Cotonou, the Congo capital Brazzaville and the Senegalese capital Dakar.

"The halls will also be fitted with a recording studio and a rehearsal room to help identify talent, support new artists and provide international exposure, whether musicians, singers or comedians," Vivendi said.

Experts from L'Olympia, a famous Parisian concert hall, will play a major advisory role in the launch of the CanalOlympia venues.