Ozone and Cli­ma­te Fri­end­ly Coo­ling in West and Cen­tral Af­ri­ca (RO­CA)

The ROCA project promotes ozone- and climate-friendly cooling technologies in the four African countries Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mali and Senegal. It started in April 2021 and will run until March 2024. 

Map with partner countries

Partner Countries

RAC appliances are spreading rapidly across Africa, particularly in the cities. In rural areas, on the other hand, there is still a lack of refrigeration equipment for agriculture and medical care. The rising number of RAC will contribute to increased energy needs as well as the use of refrigerant gases, many of which are highly damaging to the ozone layer and the global climate. To limit this dual impact, it is necessary to introduce a wide range of ozone- and climate-friendly cooling solutions.

Technicians at a training for Senegal's network of women in refrigeration, February 2023

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ROCA (Refroidissement respectueux de l'Ozone et du Climat en Afrique de l'Ouest et Centrale) contributes to an increasing use of Green Cooling technologies through improving the policy and regulatory framework on the one hand and building capacity for the use of such technologies on the other.

ROCA includes the following measures: 

  • Analysing current and future cooling demands in the partner countries (RAC inventories)
  • Advisory services for the governments, based on RAC inventories and assessment of existing policies
  • Trainings of RAC technicians on safe handling of natural refrigerants online and in Germany (Cool Trainings) as well as in the partner countries
  • regional workshops on climate finance and business models to promote the accelerated adoption of ozone- and climate-friendly as well as energy-efficient appliances using natural refrigerants
  • Pilot projects using Green Cooling technologies; e.g.
    • Air Conditioning: R290-ACs for public buildings
    • Food Security:
      • cold rooms for agricultural cooperatives in Mali and Senegal;
      • an ice machine for a fishermen's cooperative in Senegal
      • a cold chain between the slaughterhouse and the market in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
    • Good Health: cooling for vaccines in Burkina Faso and for a hospital in Cameroon

The project is co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Pro­kli­ma Im­pact Sto­ries

Let us give the word to people in our project countries.

Learn more about Alimata

"As refrigeration technicians, we contribute to environmental pollution and global warming", explains Alimata COULIBALY KINDO, trainer in refrigeration and air conditioning . Her sector is responsible for up to 13% of global greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions are caused by the high electricity consumption of the appliances and the high global warming potential of the refrigerants in use. In October 2022, Ms Coulibaly took part in our Cool Training. "In the GIZ Cool Training, I learnt how to use natural refrigerants to reduce pollution and save energy."
One year later, she says that she uses the content of the training in her lessons. She says: "Other generations will come after us. So we are all called upon to protect this planet!"

Country: Burkina Faso

Project: ROCA (opens in a new window)

Donors: European Union, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development

Listen to Alimata and other Cool Training participants who explain the advantages of natural refrigerants:

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Learn more about Simplice

Simplice Tirogo is a nurse and head of the health care centre in Tovor, Burkina Faso. The project 'Ozone and Climate Friendly Cooling in West and Central Africa (ROCA)' supported his health care centre with a vaccine refrigerator in 2023. The previous refrigerator was broken, so they had to store vaccines in a neighbouring village 15 km away. "The long journey meant that many vaccines went bad before they arrived in Tovor. Thanks to the new refrigerators, the vaccines can now be stored in Tovor and we can immunise more people, especially children.", explains Simplice Tirogo.

The new refrigerators are also more climate-friendly than the previous ones: they are very energy-efficient and run on the natural refrigerant isobutane. The necessary electricity comes from solar panels, which were also procured by ROCA.

Country: Burkina Faso

Project: ROCA (opens in a new window)

Donors: European Union, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development

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