GEM recognized by IFC as 1st EDGE advanced green museum in Africa, Mideast

21 / 02 / 2024

By Marwa Nassar - -

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) was recognized by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) as the first museum in Africa and the Middle East to obtain the EDGE Advanced Green Building Certification.

The museum became one of a handful worldwide, to receive the certification.

Supported by Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the UK Government, the EDGE Advanced certification recognizes the GEM’s resource efficient and climate-smart design and construction, which is helping the museum save more than 60% in energy costs and reduce water use by 34% compared to a conventional building of its type and size.

The museum, which has a site area of half a million square meters, has taken sustainability measures including a reflective roof, external shading for thermal comfort, resource-efficient lighting, and water fixtures, in addition to the use of smart meters for energy consumption.

These measures translate into energy savings equivalent to removing over 400 gasoline-powered vehicles from the streets of Cairo for one year, and water savings equivalent to 63.4 million liters of Nile River water annually.

“Today, the Grand Egyptian Museum stands to be a shining example of innovation and environmental stewardship as ‘an EDGE-certified green building’, an award highlighting the successful ongoing partnership between Egypt and the IFC in the Green Buildings Enhancement program. This is in line with the country’s commitment to promoting sustainable and green infrastructure and reflects the strategic partnership between Egypt and the IFC across diverse sectors within the Egypt – World Bank Group Country Partnership Framework 2023–2027,” said Rania Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation.

“The Grand Egyptian Museum going green – and becoming the first EDGE Advanced certified museum in Africa and the Middle East – is a powerful testament to Egypt’s growing commitment to sustainability,” said Cheick-Oumar Sylla, IFC’s Regional Director for North Africa and the Horn of Africa. “Building green is both resource-efficient and cost-effective. Now is the time to build more responsibly and support Egypt in its journey toward a lower-carbon future.”

“The Grand Egyptian Museum received this prestigious award by IFC based on the building’s energy and water efficiency measures and its reduced carbon footprint,” said Major General Atef Moftah, the Grand Egyptian Museum’s General Manager. “These measures – and this certificate – reaffirms the museum’s commitment to sustainability, in alignment with Egypt’s Vision 2030 for clean energy.”

GEM’s EDGE Advanced certification is part of IFC’s Green Building project, developed in partnership with the Government of Egypt’s Housing and Building National Research Center (HBRC), to enhance the green buildings ecosystem in Egypt and promote the certification of construction projects that foster cost-effective, resource-efficient design choices. The partnership focuses on increasing the public sector’s awareness of the economic case for certified green buildings, developing skills to implement green incentive schemes, and supporting the local development of green building stock.

“The Grand Egyptian Museum sets a new standard for sustainable construction in Africa, demonstrating Egypt’s leadership in embracing environmentally responsible practices,” said Dr. Mohamed Massoud, Chairman of the Housing and Building National Research Center. “This project showcases the power of collaboration between government, international organizations, and the private sector to advance sustainable building practices that benefit both the environment and the economy.”