Cameroon is moving to transform the Association of Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Professionals of Cameroon (APFCC) into a National Order of Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Professionals. The initiative was highlighted during the 4th African Refrigeration Day on September 24, 2026, under the patronage of Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute. The proposed structure would introduce mandatory professional membership, classification, training requirements and regulatory oversight.
According to APFCC Secretary General Alain Tchoua Ndjeudji, the Order would categorize refrigeration professionals by qualification, establish requirements for continuing education and safety practices, and participate in developing national sector standards. Its responsibilities would also cover refrigeration contracts, cold room design, supermarket refrigeration and cold-chain operations. The organization plans to operate across Cameroon’s ten regions, with its first governing bureau expected to be established by December 2026.
Refrigerant management is another priority. Cameroon stopped importing R22 in 2023, although existing stocks remain in circulation. The country is transitioning toward R410A and R32 while gradually adopting natural refrigerants R290 and R600a. APFCC is seeking wider distribution of refrigerant recovery kits and is working with the Ministry of Finance to reduce customs costs on new refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment. Restrictions on obsolete second-hand equipment are also under consideration, conditional on agreements concerning import taxation.
Professional training forms part of the initiative. APFCC reports having strengthened the skills of more than 1,500 young people and plans to train another 3,000–5,000 professionals over the next five years. Refrigeration engineering education has also been introduced at the Douala Institute, including bachelor’s and engineering-level programs. Training priorities include food preservation, vaccine storage, refrigerated transport and air-conditioning applications.
The proposed Order would be funded through professional contributions, potential state support, international donors and supervised private sponsorship. APFCC also intends to develop agreements with relevant government ministries. The organization sees the Cameroonian framework as a potential model for other African countries through U-3ARC.
“This is not just a change of nameplate,” said Alain Tchoua Ndjeudji, Secretary General of APFCC and Deputy Secretary General of U-3ARC. “Training becomes mandatory. Retraining and upgrading too. Safety rules and good practices will no longer be optional: they will be required.”
