ADHI Africa Holding Ltd, in partnership with German engineering company HUESKER, hosted a two-day technical seminar in Kigali, on July 8 and 9. The event brought together engineers, developers, government agencies, universities, and sustainability experts to explore how Africa can shift from traditional, high-carbon construction methods to smarter, more climate-friendly infrastructure. With cities growing fast and climate risks increasing, the seminar introduced geosynthetics—an advanced material solution already used worldwide by HUESKER—as a cleaner, faster, and more affordable alternative to concrete and steel. ALSO READ:ADHI Rwanda elevates sustainable housing at COP28 as Bwiza Housing initiative takes centre stage According to the CEO of ADHI Africa Holding Ltd, Hassan Adan Hassan, the goals of the training are to shift engineers away from business-as-usual practices, towards innovative, climate resilient infrastructure methods, emphasising that it is not a sales pitch but a technical seminar meant to equip engineers with fundamental knowledge. He explained that the company is working with HUESKER to introduce alternative construction materials that reduce reliance on concrete and stone, cut carbon emissions, and align with Rwanda’s green development goals. We have to innovate, we can't keep relying on the same old materials—concrete, stones—we need to bring in solutions that match the country’s ambitions for green projects, we’re teaching the first principles—what to look for, how to apply it, and how to make informed decisions even if they don’t use our materials, he said. He added that many of the materials being introduced can be recycled and come with strong guarantees, both in terms of performance and long-term value. Some materials even allow for carbon credits, creating financial returns under international frameworks like the Paris Agreement. You can actually monetise it by cutting your carbon footprint. It’s not just about building—it’s about building smart and getting value back, he explained. ALSO READ: ADHI Africa, ShafDB partner to tackle housing challenges Stephan Westhus, a HUESKER representative in Kigali, highlighted that while geosynthetics may seem like a new idea to many in Rwanda, the technology is well-established in Europe and globally, with over five decades of proven use. Still, the materials remain underutilised—even in places where they’ve existed for years—mainly because they’re not widely taught or understood in engineering programmes. We’re still teaching European contractors how to use this—so it’s not just here. People often think it’s just plastic, but it’s highly engineered. It replaces traditional resources like cement, gravel, and steel, and that reduces carbon dioxide emissions significantly, he explained. Westhus added that the technical seminar is here to address those knowledge gaps, and his focus is on helping engineers understand the science, performance, and reliability of geosynthetics, and encouraging them to challenge what they think they know. These training sessions are about removing the fear of trying something unfamiliar. We go deep into the technical side because we want people to ask hard questions and bring real projects we can work on together, he said. ALSO READ: ADHI Corporate trains youth in green construction technology In his remarks, Deputy Head of Mission and Charge d’Affaires at the German embassy in Rwanda, Peter Primus, highlighted the long-term value of bringing tested, climate-friendly construction technology to Rwanda through partnerships like the one between HUESKER and ADHI Africa. He pointed out that geosynthetics are not just theoretical innovations—they’re already proven in demanding environments, including parts of Africa. This material has already been used in places like Nigeria, under tough conditions. It’s cost-effective, durable—lasting up to 120 years—and offers a strong environmental footprint by cutting down the need for concrete and rubble, he said. Primus emphasised that Rwanda, with its steep terrain and infrastructure needs, stands to benefit enormously from these materials. From stabilising slopes to building roads and bridges, he sees geosynthetics as a way to support development without compromising the environment. ALSO READ: ADHI partner to help clients get decent housing in Bwiza estate One of the engineers who is taking part in the seminar on geosynthetics, Ritha Umubyeyi, shared that the training is offering more than just theory; it fills a critical gap in understanding a technique that’s starting to appear more often in project discussions and planning. I’ve heard about geosynthetics before, but I didn’t have the chance to really engage with it, and this training has been a good opportunity to interact with the people who actually design and implement it. It helped me connect the dots,” she said. Although the material isn't entirely new globally, she acknowledged that it’s still relatively unfamiliar to many local engineers, herself included. Learning how geosynthetics can reinforce steep slopes, protect embankments, and reduce environmental impact, struck her as especially timely given Rwanda’s topography and climate goals. It’s an environmentally-friendly technique, which is what we need right now with climate change. We’re looking for long-lasting and sustainable solutions—and this one lasts up to 120 years, which is impressive, she noted.
