AfriPulse
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has reached a major sustainability milestone after its African Trade Centre (AATC) in Abuja was awarded LEED Platinum certification, the highest global standard for green buildings, positioning the Bank at the forefront of climate-smart trade infrastructure in Africa.
The certification, granted by the U.S. Green Building Council and Green Business Certification Inc., makes the Abuja AATC the first building in Nigeria, the second in West Africa, and only the 19th on the continent to achieve LEED Platinum status.
It is also among the first large-scale trade and business centres in Africa to attain the distinction, underscoring Afreximbank’s strategy to align economic development with environmental responsibility.
For Afreximbank, the achievement signals more than architectural excellence.
It reflects the Bank’s broader commitment to embedding sustainability, innovation, and resilience into Africa’s trade ecosystem at a time when climate risks are increasingly shaping global commerce and investment decisions.
Designed as a comprehensive hub for trade, business, and innovation, the Abuja AATC consists of two interconnected nine-storey towers.
The complex houses premium office spaces, a trade and exhibition centre, conference facilities, a technology and SME incubator, a digital trade gateway, and a trade information services hub.
An adjoining tower accommodates a 148- room business hotel alongside meeting rooms, wellness facilities, and other amenities, creating an integrated environment for regional and international trade facilitation.
Although initially planned to achieve LEED Gold certification, the project surpassed its original sustainability targets.
Through advanced design, rigorous project management, and close collaboration among architects, engineers, contractors, and Afreximbank’s ESG and project teams, the building earned 81 LEED points, comfortably exceeding the threshold for Platinum certification.
The recognition was officially confirmed on 26 November 2025.
The LEED Platinum rating signifies exceptional performance across energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor environmental quality, materials selection, and sustainable site development.
The Abuja AATC is designed to reduce energy consumption by 40–50 percent compared to conventional buildings, supported by high-performance glazing, efficient HVAC systems, LED lighting, and intelligent building controls. Water-saving technologies cut potable water use by at least 30 percent, while waste recycling systems, electric vehicle charging stations, and bicycle facilities promote circular economy principles and low-carbon mobility.
Beyond environmental benefits, the certification delivers long-term economic value. Globally, buildings of this standard typically reduce operating costs by 8–9 percent annually, reinforcing Afreximbank’s focus on financial sustainability alongside environmental stewardship.
“This achievement demonstrates that trade infrastructure can be both commercially competitive and environmentally outstanding,” said Dr. Robert Lumbuye Tomusange, Director and Global Head of Real Estate and Administration at Afreximbank.
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Source: Independent.ng | Read the Full Story…
