As part of the African Energy Efficiency Conference in Addis Ababa (8-11 December 2025), GlobalABC and PEEB co-delivered a pre-conference training and facilitated a high-level panel session on making energy-efficient buildings the new normal across Africa.
GlobalABC's engagement at the conference centred on supporting Africa's transition to energy-efficient and climate-resilient buildings through two key activities delivered in partnership with the Partnership for Energy Efficiency in Buildings (PEEB).
Pre-Conference Training on Bioclimatic Design and Financing (8-9 December)
Alongside PEEB, the African Energy Commission, and the International Energy Agency, the GlobalABC delivered a two-day capacity-building training focused on bioclimatic design principles and energy efficiency financing mechanisms. The training equipped representatives from ministries, regulators, and private sector actors across the energy and buildings sectors with practical tools to advance sustainable building practices.
Celia Martinez, Programme Management Officer for Sustainable Buildings at UNEP-GlobalABC, presented on the methodology to develop National Climate Action Roadmaps for Buildings and Construction in Africa, as well as policies enforcement and compliance. Her session covered an overview of policies, market signals and incentives, building.
Learn more about the Pre-Conference Training on Bioclimatic Design and Financing.
Panel Session: Making Energy Efficient and Resilient Buildings the New Normal in Africa (10 December)
Moderated by Edima Okodi-Iyah (GIZ), the session featured a keynote presentation by Elizabeth Chege on the status of energy efficiency in buildings globally and in Africa, with a special note from S.E. Mr. Yonis Ali Guedi, Minister of Energy in charge of Natural Resources, Djibouti.
The panel discussion brought together policy leaders and technical experts from across the continent:
- Mr. Chris Abbey, Director of Housing, Ministry of Works and Housing of Ghana
- Mrs. Ngoanathari Maja, Project Manager EEPSU, South African National Energy Development Institute and Industrial Development Corporation (SANEDI), South Africa
- Mr. Abderrahman Mahfoudhi, Energy Efficiency Expert, National Agency for Energy Conservation (ANME), Tunisia
- Mrs Hikmat Toyin Aderbigbe, Representative of the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Nigeria
Panellists shared national experiences and policies for improving energy efficiency in buildings, emphasising that energy efficiency represents "the first and cheapest fuel" for Africa's development and highlighting the critical role of efficient buildings in achieving climate and development goals.
The African Energy Efficiency Conference, organised by the African Energy Commission, convened ministers, policymakers, and stakeholders to accelerate energy efficiency action across the continent. GlobalABC's participation reinforces UNEP's commitment to supporting African nations in transforming their buildings sectors towards sustainability and climate resilience.
- About Climate Action Roadmaps
GlobalABC's Climate Action Roadmaps for Buildings and Construction developed in partnership with the International Energy Agency (IEA) and UNEP, align market, policy, and finance forces to translate climate commitments into measurable action. They are a flagship product of the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction, designed to bring all stakeholders together to agree on pathways with specific actions, timelines, and ambitious targets to reduce operational and embedded carbon emissions while increasing resilience, inclusion, and wellbeing in the built environment.
In 2024, GlobalABC launched a step-by-step guide—co-developed with UNEP, UNOPS, and UN-Habitat—to support countries in developing roadmaps.
