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While green buildings in Kenya often present higher upfront costs, their long-term economic, environmental, and health benefits are driving a significant shift in the construction sector, with over one million square metres of certified green spaces.
Nairobi's skyline is increasingly dotted with structures that go beyond conventional aesthetics, embracing sustainability as a core principle. These 'green buildings' are designed to minimise environmental impact throughout their lifecycle, from construction to operation, offering a compelling case for a sustainable future in Kenya's rapidly developing real estate market.
Kenya has made significant strides in adopting green building practices, surpassing one million square metres of EDGE-certified green buildings as of March 2025. This represents a tenfold growth compared to 2020, indicating a rapid embrace of sustainable architecture. The commercial real estate sector, particularly office spaces and retail centres, is leading this adoption, driven by corporate sustainability goals and tenant demand for energy-efficient and healthy workspaces. Notable examples of certified green buildings in Kenya include Britam Tower, Garden City, Purple Tower, and Strathmore Business School.
Kenya's commitment to green building is rooted in its broader sustainable development agenda, articulated in Vision 2030 and the Green Economy Strategy Implementation Plan (2016). These frameworks aim for 75% of large public and private new or renovated buildings to be green by 2030. The shift towards green construction is also a crucial part of Kenya's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 32% by 2030.
The Kenyan government is actively developing comprehensive green building guidelines and regulations. The National Construction Authority (NCA) launched the National Building Code 2024 on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, which incorporates provisions for sustainable green construction practices, multi-hazard resilient designs, and energy efficiency standards. This new code, published on March 1, 2024, as Legal Notice No. 47, replaced the outdated 1968 building by-laws and is one of only three building codes in Africa to address sustainability and climate change. Furthermore, the proposed Climate Change Green and Resilient Buildings Regulations 2023 aim to establish a dedicated green resilient building unit under the State Department for Public Works. This unit will oversee implementation, maintain records of green buildings, manage certification systems, and accredit green building professionals.
Despite these initiatives, compliance remains a challenge. For instance, the Energy (Solar Water Heating) Regulations, 2012, which mandated solar heating systems for buildings with hot water requirements exceeding 100 litres per day, have seen unimpressive compliance rates even after a five-year grace period.
The Kenya Green Building Society (KGBS), a member-based, independent, and non-profit organisation, plays a pivotal role in promoting green building practices and awareness. They advocate for environmentally responsible, resource-efficient construction that prioritises sustainable outcomes. Commercial real estate tenants, particularly multinational corporations, are increasingly demanding green buildings, influencing developers to adopt sustainable practices. However, small developers often face challenges with financing, the cost of importing sustainable building materials, and the limited availability of local green building design practices.
While the long-term savings on energy, water, and maintenance costs offer significant financial benefits, the initial costs of sustainable features and green building materials can be higher than traditional options. This can be a barrier for developers, especially in a market where construction costs are already relatively high compared to buyer purchasing power. However, green-certified buildings often command higher rental and sale prices, achieve higher occupancy rates, and attract higher-quality tenants, making them a smart investment in the long run.
Despite the growing number of certified green buildings, the residential sector lags behind commercial adoption. This is partly due to the private nature of home construction in Kenya, making it difficult to track green practices, and less pressure on residential developers to seek certifications compared to their commercial counterparts. There is also a need for greater awareness and education among developers, contractors, and consumers about the benefits of green building.
The National Building Code 2024, incorporating green building provisions, took effect in March 2024. The proposed Climate Change Green and Resilient Buildings Regulations 2023 are expected to further solidify the regulatory framework for sustainable construction.
Watch for the full enactment and implementation of the Climate Change Green and Resilient Buildings Regulations 2023 and the establishment of the dedicated green resilient building unit. The effectiveness of government incentives, such as tax breaks and subsidies for green-certified projects, will be crucial in accelerating adoption. The continued growth of demand from eco-conscious buyers and renters will also shape the future of green buildings in Kenya.
The broader context of sustainable construction in Kenya also includes the promotion of local, low-carbon materials like bamboo and recycled concrete, and the expansion of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal in buildings.
