A new generation of refrigeration and cold room technicians is being equipped with practical skills aimed at reducing harmful emissions, improving energy efficiency, and strengthening Rwanda’s cooling and cold-chain systems. The initiative is led by the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-Chain (ACES), a Kigali-based institution advancing sustainable refrigeration technologies and technical skills across Africa. This week, ACES concluded a two-day intensive training in brazing and refrigeration pipework for 12 technicians from companies, independent businesses, and technical schools. Conducted under the Clean Cooling Network (CCN), the programme focused on improving installation standards, reducing refrigerant leakages, and introducing safer maintenance practices and emerging refrigeration technologies. ALSO READ: How ACES–RDDP partnership will improve milk cold-chain system Closing practical skills gaps For participants, the training exposed practical gaps that often remain even among experienced technicians. Aimé Pacifique Muhawenimana, a Kigali-based refrigeration technician, said the course offered rare hands-on exposure to modern refrigeration methods. “At school, practical time is limited because there are many students, but here the training was intensive and practical,” he said. “In just two days, I learned techniques that would normally take more than three months to fully understand.” He said the training improved technicians’ understanding of how improper handling of refrigerants contributes to environmental damage and cooling inefficiency. Among the skills introduced was lockring technology, a modern pipe connection system that reduces the need for brazing. “Technology keeps changing, so technicians also need to keep updating their skills,” Muhawenimana said. “This training changes your mindset and connects you to international practices.” Annualitha Abijuru, a second-year refrigeration student at RP (Rwanda Polytechnic) Kigali, described brazing as one of the foundations of refrigeration work. “If you don’t properly understand brazing, you cannot work effectively in refrigeration,” she said. “Here we learned techniques that improve safety and protect the environment, especially in the use of gases during installation.” ALSO READ: From Farm to Fork: ACES trains innovators to reduce food and value loss in Rwanda’s cold chain Simon Abayisenga, an air conditioning officer at a major telecommunications company, said the training highlighted the need for continuous professional upgrading. “Sometimes people think they know these techniques, but when you come here you realise there are things you have been doing incorrectly,” he said. He noted that poor installation practices often result in refrigerant leaks, repeated maintenance costs, equipment failure, and unnecessary environmental pollution. “People usually focus on fixing systems quickly, but this training emphasised efficiency, safety, and quality work,” he added. Why proper refrigeration practices matter Joseph Hakuzimana, Trainer and Course Provider at ACES, said pipework remains one of the most critical parts of refrigeration systems because poor connections directly affect performance, energy efficiency, and environmental safety. “If technicians fail to make proper joints, refrigerants leak into the environment. Some of these refrigerants contribute to climate change and ozone depletion,” he said. ALSO READ: ACES trains Rwandan customs, enforcement officers to control harmful refrigerants Hakuzimana pointed out that some technicians still overlook procedures such as nitrogen purging and pressure testing after installation, despite their importance in preventing impurities and leaks. “This is not only about repairing fridges or air conditioners,” he said. “It is also about reducing energy consumption, protecting the environment, and preventing losses for businesses and households that depend on refrigeration systems.” Expanding sustainable cooling skills ACES Technical Director Basile Seburikoko stated that short courses, among the various training programs offered by the centre, are particularly important for professional development, as many technicians are unable to leave their jobs for extended training periods. “These are intensive practical courses designed to upgrade the skills of technicians already working in the field,” he said. Seburikoko observed that refrigeration systems are becoming increasingly important in climate discussions due to the environmental impact of refrigerants and inefficient cooling technologies. “What we are doing here contributes directly to reducing refrigerant emissions and improving the lifespan and efficiency of refrigeration equipment,” he said. Beyond brazing and refrigeration pipework, ACES offers more other specialized courses. Advancing sustainable cooling solutions “We still have many technicians who need these skills,” he said. “Our goal is to continue building a refrigeration sector that is efficient, environmentally responsible, and aligned with modern technologies.” “We will continue expanding these trainings and make sustainable cooling part of Africa’s development journey.”
