African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has achieved a major sustainability milestone with its African Trade Centre (AATC) in Abuja receiving LEED Platinum certification, the highest level of recognition under the globally respected Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) framework.
The certification, granted by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), was officially awarded on 26 November 2025, placing the Abuja AATC among a very select group of environmentally advanced buildings worldwide.
With this achievement, the Abuja AATC becomes the first building in Nigeria, the second in West Africa, and only the nineteenth across Africa to attain LEED Platinum status. It is also one of the continent’s first large-scale trade and business centres to meet this top-tier sustainability standard, reinforcing Afreximbank’s push to embed climate-smart practices into Africa’s trade infrastructure.
A next-generation trade and business ecosystem
The Abuja AATC consists of two interconnected nine-storey towers designed as an integrated ecosystem for trade, innovation, and business facilitation. One tower hosts Grade A commercial office spaces, a trade and exhibition centre, conference facilities, a technology and SME incubator, a digital trade gateway, and a trade information services hub.
The adjoining tower houses a 148-room business hotel, alongside seminar and meeting rooms, wellness facilities, restaurants, and supporting amenities. Together, the complex also accommodates offices for local and international financial institutions and policy organisations, positioning the AATC as a comprehensive platform for advancing intra- and extra-African trade.
Exceeding sustainability benchmarks
Originally designed to achieve LEED Gold, the project surpassed expectations due to rigorous planning, coordinated execution, and the application of advanced sustainable construction methodologies. The Abuja AATC earned 81 LEED points, well above the threshold required for Platinum certification, reflecting exceptional performance in energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor environmental quality, materials selection, and sustainable site development.
Key sustainability features include:
- 40–50% reduction in operational energy consumption compared to conventional buildings
- High-performance glazing and energy-efficient HVAC systems
- LED lighting and intelligent building management controls
- At least 30% reduction in potable water use
- Robust waste management and recycling systems
- Electric vehicle charging stations and bicycle infrastructure to support low-carbon mobility
Globally, buildings certified at this level are estimated to reduce operating costs by 8–9% annually, strengthening long-term financial sustainability while lowering environmental impact.
Aligning trade infrastructure with climate goals
The Abuja AATC’s LEED Platinum certification directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 7 (Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). It also advances Afreximbank’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) objectives by promoting healthier workspaces, reducing environmental footprints, and adhering to globally recognised sustainability standards.
Commenting on the milestone, Dr Robert Lumbuye Tomusange, Director and Global Head of Real Estate and Administration at Afreximbank, said the achievement demonstrates that Africa’s trade infrastructure can be commercially competitive while meeting the highest environmental standards.
The Abuja AATC now stands as a replicable model for low-carbon, climate-smart trade infrastructure across the continent, underscoring Afreximbank’s broader vision of aligning Africa’s economic transformation with sustainability and innovation.
