When building industry and environmental sustainability stakeholders gather in Lagos for a summit to be hosted by Green Building Council Nigeria (GBCN) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) EDGE, inclusive urban development and circular economy will be the focal point of discussion.
The summit, known as Future Cities-Africa Green Building Summit 2.0, will be hosted by IFC’s EDGE Green Buildings and Building Resilience Index programmes, in collaboration with the World Green Building Council Africa Regional Network.
This year’s edition of the summit, according to the hosts, has as theme, ‘Building Resilient Futures: Integrating Carbon Neutrality, Circular Economy and Inclusive Urban Development’ which reinforces the significance of net zero transition and climate resilience in the real estate and construction sector.
The summit is expected to bring together senior executives from Africa’s 16 green building councils, along with delegations from major African cities, and over 500 local and international experts and stakeholders, including property developers, policy makers, urban planners, and industry leaders.
“Africa’s rapid urbanization presents opportunities for innovation and growth, driving advancements in environmental sustainability, resource management, and social inclusion,” MKO Balogun, CEO, Global PFI, said in a statement in Lagos at the weekend.
“The summit aims to re-emphasize the urgency, ambition and comprehensive approach required to transform cities on the continent into sustainable, resilient, and inclusive spaces, with a resolute message that Africa must act now to safeguard the future,” Balogun added.
He said that the summit will provide a platform for knowledge sharing through discussions and panel sessions, adding that it will also foster stakeholders’collaboration while providing actionable insights and strategies for sustainable urban futures across the African continent.
“The Summit builds on the success of its first edition in 2023 which explored innovative strategies to enhance green practices for buildings,” he noted.
Balogun noted that the summit hosts are reputable organizations, explaining that while GBCN is a non-profit, industry-led initiative committed to promoting sustainable building practices in Nigeria, IFC – a member of the World Bank Group – is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets.
GBCN serves as a platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and advocacy to drive the adoption of green building practices and sustainable urbanism across Nigeria. IFC, on the other hand, works in more than 100 countries, using it capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries.
