Africa stands on the brink of a construction surge as countries race to build homes for their rapidly growing populations. This building boom presents a significant opportunity to accelerate the continent’s clean energy transition by adopting green design techniques and climate-friendly materials. However, material shortages and under-investment threaten to limit the scope of this green revolution in Africa’s construction industry.
With about 70% of the buildings that will exist in Africa by 2040 yet to be constructed, making these new structures greener—using renewable materials or ensuring they require less energy to operate—could have a major climate impact. Sustainable building practices could also enhance resilience against the climate crisis, which is causing more frequent and severe droughts, storms, and floods across the continent.
Despite the potential benefits, numerous challenges persist, as Nigerian architect Eshemokhai Akpene discovered. Commissioned to design 60 condo units in a Lagos suburb, Akpene aimed to use sustainable materials like timber and weather-resilient clay instead of conventional concrete, known for its heavy carbon footprint. However, after months of searching for local wood, he was forced to import timber frames from Indonesia, tripling the project’s budget.
“Most of the green building materials are imported from overseas, so it is just not a viable option for real estate developers,” Akpene said. The shortage of local carpenters skilled in working with timber and the insufficient production by West African loggers exacerbated the issue.
Africa, contributing less than 4% of global emissions, faces the daunting task of reducing carbon emissions in its building sector, which accounts for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions. Caitlin Wale, founder of the African climate tech accelerator Kinjani, highlighted the immense opportunity within Africa’s building boom. She believes Africa can rapidly innovate at scale, using its burgeoning working-age population and abundant natural resources to create new green building materials.
“Just like with the mobile phone, we don’t have to go through the landline just because the Global North did it,” she said. “We have the potential to grow green from the start.”
Nigeria, projected to almost double its population to 400 million by 2050, already faces a housing deficit of around 28 million units. Cutting-edge technologies and processes for green construction, such as low-carbon cement, are predominantly developed by firms in Europe and North America, posing another challenge. Ayodele Arigbabu, a member of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, pointed out that imported technologies and processes often do not suit local climates.
Before industrialization, Nigerian builders used local materials like red clay bricks, which were better suited to the tropical climate and more weather-resilient than concrete. Today, scientists in Africa are innovating by using mining waste and biochar as substitutes for cement in concrete. However, the lack of a mature investment ecosystem to support startups at each growth stage remains a significant hurdle.
Industry experts assert that government intervention is crucial. By enforcing mandatory building codes and investing in green alternatives, governments can drive the industry while proving the safety and reliability of new processes. For instance, in India, the government is promoting ‘LC3’—limestone calcined clay cement—which reduces emissions and material imports.
Akpene suggests that Nigeria’s government could offer tax incentives to local companies manufacturing energy-efficient building materials. “If the government wants a lot of green architecture, it has to take the lead,” he said.
As Africa races to meet its housing needs, the choices made now will determine not only the continent’s environmental impact but also how its people weather the ongoing climate emergency. By embracing sustainable building practices and fostering local innovation, Africa has the potential to lead a green revolution in construction.
