The 1st International Conference for the Popularization of Refrigeration in Africa officially opened today in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, organized by U-3ARC in collaboration with international partners. Taking place on 12 November 2025, the event focuses on the theme “The refrigeration sector: a new factor with economic and environmental challenges, and the freedom of peoples,” highlighting the crucial role of cooling technologies in Africa’s sustainable development.
At the centre of this initiative stands Madi Sakandé, President of U-3ARC and lecturer at the Centro Studi Galileo for over fifteen years. Through his long-standing commitment to professional training across Africa, Sakandé has been instrumental in developing technical expertise and strengthening local capacities in the HVAC/R field.
In his opening address, he emphasized that mastering refrigeration and air conditioning technologies is vital to achieving food sovereignty, health security, and employment growth throughout the continent.
The conference agenda includes three main thematic sessions: institutional and regulatory frameworks, cold chain challenges, and prospects for the development of air conditioning in Africa. Among the key speakers are Steve Gill, Yosr Allouche, and the moderator, Prof. Marcello Collantin from Centro Studi Galileo.
In the following days, U-3ARC will also hold its General Assembly and a series of technical and networking sessions dedicated to trainers and women professionals within the organization.