The United States Green Building Council and Green Business Certification Inc. have certified the African Export-Import Bank’s (Afreximbank) Abuja African Trade Centre (AATC) with the prestigious LEED Platinum certification, the highest global standard in sustainable building design and construction.
This milestone establishes the Abuja AATC as the first building in Nigeria, the second in West Africa, and the nineteenth across Africa to attain this level of recognition. It is also among the first large-scale trade and business centres on the continent to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum, highlighting Afreximbank’s commitment to embedding sustainability, innovation, and climate-smart practices into Africa’s trade infrastructure.
The Abuja AATC comprises two interconnected nine-storey towers designed to create a comprehensive ecosystem for trade, business, and innovation. One tower houses world-class commercial grade A office spaces, a trade and exhibition centre, a conference centre, a technology and SME incubator, a digital trade gateway, and a trade information services hub.
The adjoining tower features a 148-room business hotel with seminar and meeting rooms, wellness facilities, a restaurant, and other ancillary amenities. The facility also accommodates offices for local and international financial institutions and policy organisations, providing a full facilitation system for trade and business development across the continent.
Originally designed to achieve LEED Gold Certification, the Abuja AATC exceeded expectations due to the dedication, expertise, and intentionality of the project team, which included architects, designers, engineers, consultants, contractors, and Afreximbank’s Environmental Sustainability and Governance (ESG) and project management teams.
Through meticulous planning, high-level sustainable construction methodologies, and seamless coordination among stakeholders, the project achieved LEED Platinum Certification on 26 November 2025, a recognition that reflects exceptional performance in sustainability, energy and water efficiency, and environmental stewardship. LEED Platinum represents the highest standard for green buildings globally, signifying that the Abuja AATC meets stringent criteria across multiple categories, including energy use, water management, indoor environmental quality, materials selection, and sustainable site development.
With 81 points earned, the Abuja AATC exceeds the threshold required for Platinum certification, demonstrating that it is among the most environmentally responsible, resource-efficient, and high-performing buildings in Africa.
Director and Global Head, Real Estate and Administration at Afreximbank, Dr. Robert Lumbuye Tomusange, said, “The Afreximbank Abuja AATC’s attainment of LEED Platinum certification underscores Afreximbank’s unwavering commitment to sustainability, innovation, and climate-smart development.”
“This milestone demonstrates that trade infrastructure can be both commercially competitive and environmentally outstanding, setting a new benchmark for Africa’s green building landscape,” he said.
The Abuja AATC now stands as a living demonstration of Afreximbank’s vision to integrate commercial competitiveness, innovation, and sustainability into Africa’s trade infrastructure. Its LEED Platinum certification advances Afreximbank’s ESG objectives by reducing the environmental footprint, enhancing social value through healthier and more inclusive workspaces, and reinforcing strong governance through adherence to globally recognized sustainability standards.
By Times Reporter
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