Headlines for PE News
Access Bank Ghana Champions Sustainable Innovation with IFC EDGE Certification
Africa is facing an affordable housing crisis as rapid urbanization pushes over half the population into cities by 2030
Record-Breaking £473 Million in Student Accommodation Deals Transform UK Skylines in 2024
Access Bank Ghana has received the IFC’s Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies certification for its headquarters in Osu-Accra.
The IFC EDGE Green Building certification recognizes the bank’s commitment to sustainable construction practices.
This certification is part of a global initiative supported by the UK Government’s DESNZ and initial funding from Switzerland’s SECO. With this achievement, the bank is projected to reduce energy use by 29%, water use by 25%, and embodied carbon in its building materials by an impressive 99%.
During the certification handover, Olumide Olatunji, Managing Director of Access Bank Ghana PLC, emphasized that sustainability is at the heart of the bank’s operations. He highlighted their efforts in integrating resource efficiency and environmental responsibility into everyday practices.
Olatunji explained that the bank’s sustainability strategy involves minimizing environmental impact, supporting economic and social goals, and driving Corporate Social Investment in community initiatives across education, health, and economic empowerment. Dr. Dahlia Khalifa, IFC Regional Director for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, also commended the bank, noting that its achievement sets a strong example for other financial institutions and contributes significantly to reducing global carbon emissions.
Africa is facing an affordable housing crisis as rapid urbanization pushes over half the population into cities by 2030, resulting in overcrowded informal settlements and deepening inequality.
Factors such as inadequate financing, outdated regulations, and scarce affordable building materials contribute to this challenge.
Veritasi Homes, led by CEO Nola Adetola, is at the forefront of addressing these issues by introducing innovative financing models and sustainable building designs to make homeownership more accessible and transform Africa’s housing landscape.
In 2024, private developers signed a record 22 land deals for purpose-built student accommodation, totaling £473 million (AUD $910 million), according to Knight Frank. Notable projects include Greystar’s transformation of a former hotel in Manchester into a 1,014-bed facility and the conversion of an office block in central London by Dominus and Cheyne Capital. Despite a decline in international student numbers due to stricter visa policies, the student housing market remains lucrative, bolstered by rising rental yields and an ongoing supply-demand gap.
With UK private rental prices up by 9% and university-owned real estate valued at approximately £30 billion, strategic partnerships—such as the £250 million joint venture between Newcastle University and Unite Students—highlight significant private investment aimed at easing the student housing shortage.
Source : Joycelyn Marigold -Property Express News
