Absa Bank Ghana LTD’s new headquarters, Absa Place, has achieved EDGE Advanced certification from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), recognising the building’s high standards of energy and water efficiency.

Located at 64 Independence Avenue in Ridge, Accra, Absa Place combines resource-efficient infrastructure with a modern workplace designed for employees, clients and visitors.

Developed by IFC, the EDGE certification system assesses improvements in energy use, water consumption and the embodied carbon of construction materials against a conventional building baseline. EDGE Advanced recognises a significantly higher level of resource efficiency than standard EDGE certification.

Managing Director of Absa Bank Ghana LTD, Dr Edward Nartey Botchway, said the certification validates the Bank’s commitment to infrastructure designed for long-term operational efficiency.

“We did not just want a bigger building; we wanted one that would remain efficient and relevant twenty years from now. Absa Place reflects our commitment to investing responsibly in the future of our business, our people and the communities we serve. The EDGE Advanced certification provides independent validation of the environmental standards we set for the building,” he said.

Commenting on the achievement, IFC highlighted the wider significance of the Bank’s investment.

“Congratulations to Absa Bank Ghana on the inauguration of Absa Place, an investment that reflects the bank’s longstanding commitment to Ghana and confidence in its future. Through its achievement of IFC’s EDGE Advanced certification, Absa is demonstrating that sustainability can be a driver of both competitiveness and long-term value creation. This investment sets a strong benchmark for green buildings in Ghana and shows how the private sector can help shape more resource-efficient and resilient urban growth across Africa,” said Deo Onyango, Principal Country Officer for IFC Ghana.

The certification builds on Absa Bank Ghana LTD’s wider efforts to improve the environmental performance of its operations through investments in renewable energy, energy and water efficiency, and waste reduction. In 2025, the Bank operated 54 solar-powered automated teller machines, collectively generating approximately one million kilowatt-hours of clean energy annually.

Absa Place incorporates a 570-kilowatt peak solar installation designed to provide at least 80% of the Bank’s on-site power requirements. The building also uses a water-cooled chiller system, which is more energy-efficient than conventional air-cooled systems, while its glass façade is designed to block more than 70% of external heat before it reaches the interior.

The workplace combines collaborative areas with pause areas, silent pods and booths to support different ways of working. It also includes a rooftop events area, gym, auditorium and a dedicated baby bay for nursing mothers.

The EDGE Advanced certification strengthens Absa Bank Ghana LTD’s broader commitment to operating responsibly while investing in infrastructure that supports long-term efficiency and a modern workplace experience.