On June 26, 2025, the Ethiopian Green Building Council (ETGBC) played a pivotal role at the third edition of Big 5 Construct Ethiopia, held at Millennium Hall in Addis Ababa. Co-located with the inaugural East Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo, this landmark event (June 26–28) united over 10,000 construction and infrastructure professionals and 180+ exhibitors from 20 countries, cementing Ethiopia’s position in the $67 billion regional construction market.
Inaugurated by H.E. Mrs. Chaltu Sani, Minister of Urban and Infrastructure, alongside dignitaries like H.E. Professor Birhanu Nega (Minister of Education) and Engineer Yonas Ayalew (CEO, Ethiopian Construction Corporation), the event underscored Ethiopia’s commitment to sustainable development and economic reform, as outlined in the nation’s Ten-Year Development Plan (2020–30).
As a supporting association, ETGBC advanced its mission to foster eco-conscious construction through two impactful presentations within the event’s 20+ CPD-certified Big 5 Talks and Infra360 sessions. Liku Solomon, Director at ETGBC, presented “Small-Scale, Big Impact: Net-Zero Public Interventions for Ethiopian Cities,” offering a visionary approach to urban sustainability. Solomon showcased innovative, scalable interventions, such as energy-efficient public buildings, green roofing, and community-driven infrastructure projects, that achieve net-zero carbon goals while enhancing urban livability. His session highlighted how small-scale initiatives can yield significant environmental and social benefits, particularly in rapidly urbanizing cities like Addis Ababa. By presenting practical solutions tailored to Ethiopia’s unique challenges, it inspired attendees to rethink urban planning and embrace net-zero strategies, positioning ETGBC as a thought leader in sustainable urban development.
Biruk Geremew, ETGBC’s Technical Director, delivered a transformative session titled “Green Skills for a Green Future: Building Ethiopia’s Sustainable Construction Workforce.” It highlighted the urgent need for specialized training in energy-efficient technologies, low-carbon materials, and sustainable design practices to build a skilled workforce capable of meeting Ethiopia’s ambitious infrastructure goals. His talk emphasized how upskilling architects, engineers, and contractors can drive climate-resilient urban development, aligning with national priorities for sustainable growth. Attendees, including industry professionals and policymakers, engaged in robust discussions on integrating green skills into Ethiopia’s construction sector, reinforcing ETGBC’s role in shaping a sustainable future
The event’s vibrant exhibition floor, featuring international pavilions from China, Germany, India, Italy, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, showcased cutting-edge solutions that echoed a sustainability ethos. Exhibitors like Emirates Industrial Panel displayed energy-efficient wall systems, while Jotun Ethiopia presented low-VOC coatings, and others introduced smart LED lighting to reduce energy consumption. These innovations, alongside technical discussions and live product demonstrations, highlighted a regional shift toward climate-conscious construction, aligning with ETGBC’s advocacy for greener building practices. The co-located East Africa Infrastructure & Water Expo amplified these themes, addressing critical challenges in water management and infrastructure. The invite-only East Africa Infrastructure & Water Summit, moderated by Dr. Abraham Assefa, featured insights from experts like Engr. Hanan Ahmednur (Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands) and Engr. Wondimu Seta (Addis Ababa City General Manager). Discussions on modernizing airports, expanding power infrastructure, and implementing sustainable water solutions underscored the need for integrated planning, resonating with ETGBC’s mission to promote holistic, sustainable development.
