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
"Born in Rwanda but pan-Africa in Vision": 2026 - Putting words into practice through The ACES SPOKE programme.
31st Oct 2025
Our overarching objective is to combine training, support and technology demonstration to accelerate the deployment of sustainable, resilient and equitable cold-chains across the Global South.
IOR And ACES Sign MOU to Foster International Collaboration
28th Oct 2025
The Institute of Refrigeration (IOR) and the African Centre for Excellence in Sustainable Cold Chain (ACES) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen collaboration and promote the exchange of ideas and expertise.
ACES and Clean Cooling Network’s Train the Trainer Programme secured accreditation
27th Oct 2025
The Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE) has formally accredited the Train the Trainer Programme delivered by the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-Chain (ACES) and the Clean Cooling Network (CCN) at the ACES campus in Kigali.
Picture of the week: A solar-powered refrigerator
24th Oct 2025
ACES staff explains to primary pupils the operation of a solar-powered refrigerator that uses an internal water-jacket cooling system, alongside a guide for optimally arranging fruits and vegetables inside.
