Four Namibian vocational training centres have received refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) tools and equipment worth €83,700 (approx. $89,400) as part of the Cooling Programme for Southern Africa (CooPSA). The initiative, implemented by GIZ in cooperation with Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) and Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade (MIT), aims to support the shift to climate-friendly cooling technologies using R290 refrigerant.
The donated equipment was distributed to Gobabis Vocational Training Centre (GVTC), Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT), Valombola Vocational Training Centre (VVTC), and Windhoek Vocational Training Centre (WVTC). A formal handover ceremony was held on 24 March 2025 at WVTC, where MIT Executive Director officiated the event.
Polli Andima, Manager of WVTC, received the donation on behalf of all centres and highlighted its significance: “The tools will be used effectively for training purposes.” The donation precedes a series of hands-on training sessions, the first of which was scheduled at WVTC from 24–28 March 2025.
In parallel, the HVAC Association of Namibia also received tools from the Climate and Ozone Protection Alliance (COPA) to strengthen training in refrigerant recovery practices. Duane Gentz, Vice-President of the Association, welcomed the support, stating: “This is a key step in preparing RAC technicians and trainers for the sector’s transition.”
The CooPSA initiative emphasizes the adoption of natural refrigerants, particularly R290, known for its low global warming potential (GWP). The program supports regional capacity building to meet future environmental and safety standards in the HVACR industry.
The strategic collaboration aims to ensure a qualified workforce capable of supporting Namibia’s sustainable cooling goals.