Joint Press Release
The first training mission carried out within the project “Rwanda – Strengthen Capacity for Sustainable Cooling and Refrigeration” has been successfully completed in Rwanda, marking an important step in the development of technical skills for the refrigeration and air conditioning sector, with a focus on safety, energy efficiency and the transition towards lower-climate-impact cooling solutions.
The project, running from September 2024 to August 2026, is funded by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) / UNEP, implemented by the Istituto per la Cooperazione Universitaria (ICU), with the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) as project partner and in collaboration with Centro Studi Galileo (CSG).
The mission included three days of technical training, held from 18 to 20 May 2026, followed by one day dedicated to the stakeholder workshop, involving institutional representatives, sector stakeholders and organisations engaged in professional skills development. The training activities took place at the ACES centre of excellence and were delivered by Madi Sakandé, master instructor from Centro Studi Galileo.
The course addressed key topics for the HVAC/R sector, including best practices in installation and maintenance, safe refrigerant handling, emission reduction, leak prevention, recovery, evacuation, charging, system diagnostics and energy efficiency. Particular attention was given to Rwanda’s transition within the framework of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, especially with regard to the gradual phase-down of HFCs and the need to develop adequate skills for the use of low-GWP refrigerants.
The first day focused on the technical and regulatory framework, covering Rwanda’s current situation regarding HCFCs and HFCs, the national HFC reduction roadmap, refrigerant safety classifications according to ISO 817, and the main long-term alternative refrigerants and their applications. The second day was dedicated to practical activities, including recovery, evacuation and charging procedures, leak detection, brazing, diagnostics and maintenance. Participants also carried out exercises related to energy efficiency and system performance assessment. The third day addressed advanced servicing procedures, refrigerant recovery and handling, diagnostics and troubleshooting, as well as the impact of different refrigerants on system design and performance. The training concluded with a review session, technical discussion and the distribution of attendance certificates.
A specific part of the programme focused on operational safety. The course covered risk analysis related to flammability, toxicity and high pressures, the creation of safe working environments, cylinder handling and the correct use of personal protective equipment, including cryogenic gloves, protective glasses and safety shoes. The approach combined international best practices and technical standards, highlighting the importance of preventing accidents and ensuring safe working conditions.
The programme will continue on 4 June with an Experimental Demonstration on Refrigerant Recovery from End-of-Life Refrigerator and Air Conditioning, organised within the framework of the WEEE best practices.
Finally, the stakeholder workshop on the 21st May represented a strategic moment to consolidate the results of the mission. The dialogue with government representatives, institutions and key sector actors aimed to support the next steps towards the creation of a certification system for technicians, defining the skills, requirements and tools needed to guide the sector towards higher standards of safety, quality and sustainability.
The growing demand for refrigeration and air conditioning in Rwanda, linked to urban development, the cold chain, healthcare, food preservation and climate comfort, makes investment in technical training, efficiency and responsible refrigerant management increasingly urgent. In this context, international cooperation between CCAC/UNEP, ICU, REMA and Centro Studi Galileo confirms the value of capacity-building programmes in developing a more skilled, resilient and climate-aligned sustainable cooling sector in Rwanda.
Project materials and publications will be made available in the coming months. Stay connected by following the project on its official channels:
Centro Studi Galileo (CSG) channels:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centrogalileo
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/centro-studi-galileo/
ICU social media channels:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ICUonlus/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/icu-it/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icu_ong/
- Instagram account ICU Rwanda: https://www.instagram.com/icu_rwanda_/
- X (Twitter): https://x.com/icu_ong
Donor-CCAC channels:
- X: https://x.com/ccacoalition
- Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/ccacoalition
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/CCACoalition
REMA social media channels:
- X: Rwanda Environment Management Authority (@REMA_Rwanda) / X
- Instagram: REMA (@rema_rwanda) • Foto e video di Instagram
- Facebook: Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) | Kigali | Facebook
For further information, please contact: info@icu.it and corsi@centrogalileo.it