Green Building Materials in Africa’s Construction Industry
As the construction industry in Africa faces a period of unprecedented growth, the continent is presented with a unique opportunity to embrace a green revolution. With an estimated 70% of the buildings that will stand in Africa by 2040 yet to be built, the potential for a significant climate impact through green design and sustainable building is immense. The adoption of renewable materials and energy-efficient designs could not only reduce emissions but also bolster resilience against the increasing climate emergency manifesting in droughts, storms, and floods.
However, architects like Nigeria’s Eshemokhai Akpene are encountering material shortages and under-investment that hinder sustainable development. Akpene’s experience with importing timber frames for condo units in Lagos highlights the challenges of relying on local resources and skills. The reliance on imported green building materials, due to the lack of local production and expertise, often results in inflated costs and undermines the viability of sustainable projects for real estate developers.
The global buildings and construction sector, responsible for nearly 40% of carbon emissions, is at a crossroads. As Africa contributes less than 4% to global emissions, the continent’s rapid development phase could leapfrog traditional methods and innovate green solutions at scale. Caitlin Wale, founder of African climate tech accelerator Kinjani, compares this potential shift to the mobile phone revolution, suggesting that Africa has the chance to “grow green from the start.”
Nigeria’s housing deficit and population boom underscore the urgency for green technologies. While advanced low-carbon cement processes have emerged from Europe and North America, Africa has its own set of innovations, such as utilizing mining waste and biochar as cement substitutes. Yet, the lack of a mature investment ecosystem for startups remains a barrier to scaling these homegrown solutions.
Industry experts emphasize the crucial role of government in leading the charge towards sustainable building. By setting mandatory building codes and investing in green alternatives, governments can catalyze industry change and validate new processes. As seen with India’s promotion of ‘LC3’ cement, government initiatives can significantly reduce emissions associated with cement production.
Incentives such as tax breaks for local manufacturers of energy-efficient materials could stimulate the domestic market. As Akpene suggests, government policy can trigger a chain reaction that propels the demand for green architecture and ultimately guides the construction industry towards a more sustainable future.
