SPOKEs
SPecialised Outreach and Knowledge Establishments
Our centres are designed within a “Hub and SPOKE” model.
While the hub is the physical centre, such as the ACES Rubirizi campus, SPOKEs are being developed in strategic locations, with expertise tailored to specific areas to demonstrate how these solutions can be deployed practically across the continent.
What are SPOKEs?
Other key elements of a SPOKE include:
- Farmers – making a financial commitment to a co-operative.
- The co-operative – investigating and developing their own financial models
Register interest for a SPOKE
Complementing these, another key overarching pillar in the wider programme is training future trainers who can then go out and work either developing the model in their own communities or create a career supporting other communities. We also run a variety of underpinning foundation, policymaker and wider training programmes (in-person and online), including technical training for refrigeration engineers as well as health and safety and Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) courses.
Interested in the "hub and SPOKE" model? Contact: [email protected]
Essential reading
“Cold-chain is like the air we breathe”
22nd Jan 2026
When Dr Jean Pierre Musabyimana says with a smile that he “grew up alongside the healthcare system in Rwanda”, he really means it. His words are true in an obvious sense: the past three decades have seen dramatic improvements in Rwanda’s healthcare system.
ACES & RBC sign MoU on vaccine security and cold-chains in Rwanda
19th Jan 2026
The Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) and the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-Chain (ACES) have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen sustainable vaccine security and critical cold-chain systems in Rwanda.
ACES announces first courses of 2026
15th Jan 2026
ACES has announced its first batch of courses for 2026, offering training in brazing, refrigeration, solar power, and more. Students can choose from six courses, tailored to different sectors and skill levels.
Empowerment in action: strengthening communities through training in 2025
30th Dec 2025
In 2025 we have significantly expanded our diverse range of training provision to number over 50 offerings developed by subject matter experts and in collaboration with industry. This approach ensures there is a local network of trained professionals ready to provide support.
