Access Bank bags IFC EDGE Green Building Certification
Access Bank PLC (Access Bank), a leading African financial institution, has received the IFC EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) Green Building Certification for its headquarters, Access Tower, in Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The EDGE certification programme, supported by the Government of Japan in Nigeria and globally funded by the UK Government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), with initial funding from Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), acknowledges Access Bank’s commitment to sustainable building practices. The certification highlights the bank’s efforts to reduce energy consumption, water usage, and embodied carbon in construction materials.
Access Bank’s head office has achieved a 20% reduction in energy use, a 33% reduction in water use, and a 99% reduction in embodied carbon in materials. The building incorporates various sustainability measures, including an insulated roof, high-performance glass, a fresh air pre-conditioning system, smart energy meters, water-efficient bathroom and kitchen fixtures, and low embodied carbon materials.
To meet the EDGE water efficiency standard, the bank retrofitted its facilities with flow regulators in all water closets, faucets, and showers. These improvements are expected to yield significant cost savings and a reduced environmental footprint for the headquarters.
Commenting on this achievement, Gregory Jobome, Executive Director, Risk Management at Access Bank, said: “At Access Bank, we have always understood that our purpose goes far beyond banking. We are architects of change, custodians of the future, and now, we stand proudly at the intersection of finance and environmental leadership. This building and this certification embody our vision to set a new standard for building, operating, and growing responsibly.
“Our collaboration with the EEN team was transformational, and together, we have shown that environmental performance and business performance are not rivals, but partners. We believe that in that partnership lies the future of banking, the future of corporate Africa, and ultimately, the future of our planet.”
EDGE is an internationally recognised green building certification designed to enhance resource efficiency. The certification process involves a rigorous assessment of a building’s design and construction, including independent third-party audits, to ensure compliance with the highest sustainability standards.
The IFC EDGE programme promotes sustainable building practices worldwide, offering a standardised approach to designing and certifying resource-efficient buildings. With applications in nearly 200 countries and over 100 million square metres of certified floor space, EDGE enables developers to construct buildings that significantly reduce energy use, water consumption, and embodied carbon.
Globally, IFC collaborates with financiers, governments, developers, and building owners to accelerate green building development, particularly in emerging markets. In Nigeria alone, more than 800,000 square metres of offices, homes, hospitals, retail outlets, student accommodation, hotels, and mixed-use projects have received EDGE certification.
