Energy efficiency - U-3ARC at ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum, ESEF 2024

ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum, ESEF 2024, organized by ECOWAS, from November 28 to 29 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, counted the participation of U-3ARC. The meeting, which focused on "Towards a just energy transition in West Africa", allowed Madi Sakandé, President of U-3ARC, to discuss the challenges facing African refrigeration technicians in the face of such a problem.

The Editorial Staff

After the previous edition, held in Praia in the Cape Verde Islands, ESEF 2024 (Ecowas Sustainable Energy Forum), initiated by ECREEE (Ecowas Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency), set up shop this year in Abidjan, on 28 and 29 November 2024.

President of U-3ARC, Madi Sakandé, took advantage of his participation to plead, once again, that refrigeration is the key to sustainable socio-economic development in Africa. The discussions, focusing on "Towards a just energy transition in West Africa", did not fail to highlight the challenges facing the African refrigeration technician. Among these, a number of deficiencies. President of U-3ARC thus mentioned the glaring lack of training centres and institutes, as well as the lack of tools, but also an exaggeratedly high tax on refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. Among other issues facing the African refrigeration technician, he deplored a lack of professionalism in the refrigeration profession in Africa and a notorious lack of information and poor political visions on the development issues related to the RAC sector. A brief presentation of the Pan-African Union, whose destiny he is at the head, preceded this plea.

ECOWAS, U-3ARC, same fight

Madi Sakandé seized the opportunity to place the RAC sector at the heart of socio-economic development in Africa. He then discussed, in turn, the role of the sector in a possible mitigation of 70% of post-harvest losses (due to the lack of a generalized cold chain) and the poignant challenge of training and awareness in the face of the introduction of eco-responsible but unfortunately flammable refrigerants. He reminded the participants of the objectives of the U-3ARC, including working to improve the environment, by encouraging the use of neutral substances and controlling GHG emissions and promoting energy efficiency. Of course, he examined all the other aims of the Pan-African Union, namely disseminating good practices in the field of refrigeration, developing refrigeration training programs, in formal and informal settings, creating a website with a directory of refrigeration technicians, schools, institutes and other players in the refrigeration sector, stimulating access to new technologies for African professionals, promoting solidarity between refrigeration engineers, organizing refresher and upgrade courses for technicians or organizing cooperation with higher institutes providing refrigeration training, developing cooperative relationships with international networks of refrigeration engineers, etc.

In line with UNTFP-CI

It should be noted that on the sidelines of the ESEF2024 Forum, the President of U-3ARC met with some members of the UNTFP-CI, an Ivorian association, headed by President Kouablan Omer Affian. They took the opportunity to discuss various topics. In the opinion of President Madi Sakandé, "a good synergy is in place for a more active and committed contribution to the development of the Refrigeration sector in Côte d'Ivoire!" It is precisely that he presented his warm congratulations and encouragement to the top officials of the UNTFP-CI who spared no effort to facilitate this meeting and his stay on Ivorian soil. Gratifying, he thanked the members of the Association who showered him with gifts, including a very beautiful traditional outfit.