Absa Bank Kenya has received the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) certification for implementing green building technologies that meet global sustainability standards.
The bank invested nearly KES45 million in retrofitting Nkrumah, Kisii, Queensway Branches, Westend HQ, and Bishops Gate Head Office. Upgrades included energy-efficient LED lighting, water-saving fixtures, and bottle-less water dispensers, cutting energy and water expenses by 30% and 33% respectively—equivalent to KES25 million in annual savings.
Jane Waiyaki, Absa’s Head of Sustainability, stated the bank’s commitment to climate action and net-zero goals by 2040. "This certification reflects our progress in sustainability and our focus on supporting clients through the transition," she said during the 2022 East Africa Property and Investment Summit in Nairobi.
A 2019 International Energy Agency report highlighted that the building sector accounts for 40% of global energy-related carbon emissions. Absa’s initiatives align with Sustainable Development Goals on clean energy, sustainable cities, and responsible consumption, Waiyaki noted.
Since joining the Kenya Green Building Society (KGBS) in 2020, Absa has adhered to the Principles for Responsible Banking and the United Nations Global Compact. IFC’s Corinne Figueredo emphasized the certification’s growing impact in Africa, citing Absa as a key partner in promoting green building practices.
