The inaugural Festival of Cooling took place from October 7–10, 2025, at the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain (ACES) in Kigali, Rwanda. The event brought together farmers, students, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to highlight the role of sustainable cooling in climate action, food security, and economic development.
Co-organized by UNEP’s United for Efficiency (U4E), the University of Birmingham, the Clean Cooling Network, and ACES — with support from the UK Government — the Festival blended scientific demonstrations, policy dialogues, and hands-on activities focused on cold-chain systems.
The first day emphasized the use of cold chains in healthcare, particularly for vaccine preservation. Demonstrations featured drone-based vaccine delivery solutions for remote areas with limited electricity access. “We’re improving cooling systems and exploring how to use new technologies, such as drones, to transport vaccines,” said Professor Toby Peters, Programme Director of ACES.
The second day engaged students from eight Rwandan schools in educational activities connecting theory with practice, including mini refrigeration system construction and equipment handling.
Innovation and entrepreneurship were at the forefront on the third day, with African start-ups showcasing technologies such as solar-powered grain dryers and IoT-based livestock monitoring. “We developed a prototype and are now looking for partners to scale up,” said Patrick Ndayisaba, Founder of Greenover Africa.
On the final day, farmers interacted with policymakers to explore practical cold-chain solutions, including solar-powered cold rooms and financing mechanisms like cooling-as-a-service. Hon. Dr. Bernadette Arakwiye, Rwanda’s Minister of Environment, noted, “ACES demonstrates how global agreements such as the Kigali Amendment and the Montreal Protocol can deliver tangible local impact through strong partnerships and local ownership.”
The Festival served as a platform to strengthen partnerships and promote accessible, efficient, and climate-friendly cooling technologies across Africa.
Photos Clean Cooling Network
