Kigali, October 10, 2025 — The Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain (ACES) has concluded the first-ever Festival of Cooling in Kigali, bringing together global experts, innovators, policymakers, and farmers to explore how sustainable cooling can transform food systems, improve health outcomes, and boost climate resilience across Africa.
Held from October 6 to 10 at the ACES Rubirizi Campus in the City of Kigali, the four-day festival showcased clean cooling technologies as vital tools for sustainable development. Participants agreed that clean cooling not only reduces food waste and post-harvest losses but also drives entrepreneurship, job creation for youth, and trade opportunities across the region.
On the fourth day, the spotlight turned to farmers from districts across Rwanda who visited the Rubirizi Campus to learn about new cooling technologies. They toured the facility, attended training sessions, and witnessed how cold storage can preserve perishable products, improve market access, and stabilize incomes.
For many, the technology has been life-changing. Umubyeyi Marie Claire, a farmer who once struggled with significant produce losses, said cooling innovation has revolutionized her business.
“Before adopting cold storage, we used to lose large portions of our harvest. For example, our green beans often spoiled quickly after harvest,” she explained. “Now, we can store them in cold rooms and maintain their freshness for days, giving us more time to reach markets and meet quality standards.”
Similarly, Niragire Marie Claudine, a farmer and member of GWIZARWA 34 from Rwamagana District, speaking to Kigali Times, shared how the technology has reduced stress and waste among farmers.
“Even when clients delay collecting their orders, we no longer panic,” she said. “Our products remain safe and fresh in cold rooms until they’re picked up. This reliability helps us avoid losses and maintain trust with buyers.”
Niragire urged the government and partners to scale up cold storage facilities to support more farmers, particularly those producing for export. “Some farmers still face losses because of the limited number of cold rooms. We need more of these facilities to protect our produce and sustain export quality,” she emphasized.
Prof. Toby Peters, Professor of Cold Economy at the University of Birmingham and Founding Director of ACES, said both the Rwandan and UK governments have shown strong support for the initiative.
“They’re not just funding the programme — they’re engaging deeply with our work, meeting farmers and engineers, and exploring how to scale the programme across Rwanda,” he said.
Prof. Peters revealed that ACES has mobilised over $50 million in funding from governments and industry partners, including access to a 200-hectare research farm. The centre recently built an environmental test chamber that allows refrigeration equipment to be tested locally for energy efficiency and environmental standards. “We’re proud to ensure that equipment made for Rwanda works for Rwanda,” he noted.
He underscored that cooling is now recognized as critical infrastructure. “Cooling supports food security, healthcare, and economic development. What we’ve seen this week proves that sustainable cooling is central to achieving Rwanda’s strategic goals,” he said.
Among the guests of honour was Telesphore Ndabamenye, Minister of State for Agriculture and Animal Resources, who commended the farmers for embracing the technology and contributing to environmental protection. He urged them to continue learning and sharing the innovation in their communities.
“By adopting sustainable cooling, you are not only improving your productivity but also protecting our environment and strengthening Rwanda’s food security,” he told the farmers.
Cold-chain systems are increasingly seen as vital to achieving Rwanda’s development aspirations. They help reduce hunger, create jobs for young people—particularly women—and build resilience to climate change. With 65% of the world’s uncultivated arable land and a youthful population, experts say Africa’s adoption of clean cooling could redefine the continent’s agricultural and economic future.
Gabriel UZABAKIRIHO / KIGALITIMES