Festival of Cooling

#FestivalOfCooling

Exploring the growing importance of cooling and cold-chains in a fast-warming world

The festival is now complete. We want to say a big thank you to all those who helped and continue to develop The Programme across the globe.

The Clean Cooling Network (CCN) and the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain (ACES) hosted a, public engagement “Festival of Cooling” at the ACES Campus in Kigali, Rwanda, and via an outreach programme.

The aim was to engage the public and explore the growing importance of cooling and cold-chains in a fast-warming world - through a week of events, panel discussions, demonstrations, competitions, and workshops on campus and online. Outreach to schools, communities, government, and businesses also take place. 

The Festival of Cooling
Signing MOU between IOR and ACES during Birmingham conference
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.

Training A Cool World 2025 ACES Refrigeration
fresh carrots
A Cool World: What to expect and what I am excited about!

17th Oct 2025

Dr. Tim Fox discusses what he's most looking forward to at "A Cool World: Sustainable Cold-Chain for the Global South" conference.

A Cool World 2025 Critical Infrastructure Cold-chain
farmers visiting the Clean Cooling Festival to get information on the latest cooling techniques.
Help us accelerate deployment of sustainable cold-chains in the Global South and deliver a Cool World

10th Oct 2025

This month sees "A Cool World: Sustainable Cold-Chain for the Global South" taking place at the University of Birmingham in the UK, a landmark international conference organised by the Clean Cooling Network (CCN). 

A Cool World 2025
Festival of Cooling day 3
Start-Ups Meet Experts in Innovation Clinic

9th Oct 2025

The 3rd day of the Festival of Cooling brought together start-ups, innovators, cooling experts, university students, and staff, among others, to celebrate the intersection of innovation, design, and entrepreneurship in the cooling sector, where ideas become prototypes and evolve into scalable solutions that improve lives and markets.

Festival of cooling
Building Lego at the Festival of Cooling
Students explore cooling innovations at ACES festival

8th Oct 2025

The Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-Chain (ACES) and the Clean Cooling Network, hosted a successful Schools and Education Day during the ongoing Festival of Cooling, bringing together students and teachers from eight secondary schools across Rwanda.

Festival of cooling
Day 2 festival of cooling
The Festival Of Cooling mid-week round up

8th Oct 2025

What better way to show all the great activity at the Festival of Cooling so far than a mid-week photo round-up? From innovative technologies to ice cream and lollies, the Festival keeps getting cooler and cooler!

ACES Photography Festival of cooling

Rubirizi Venue

Everything will be held at our ACES Rubirizi Campus, Kigali, Rwanda. 

ACES Rubirizi Campus

ACES Rubirizi Campus

Kigali, Rwanda

The Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-Chain (ACES) is ideally situated in the capital of Kigali.

Let’s be clear; this isn’t a conference. It’s not a trade show. And it won't be boring ... By introducing cold-chain and clean cooling concepts into schools and universities, we’re not just adding another topic.  "We’re planting the seeds of resilience, innovation, and empowerment."

ACES

Visit the Festival

ACES Rubirizi Campus
290 KK 18 Avenue, Kigali, Rwanda

X:  @ACES_Cooling
Instagram: aces_cooling
[email protected]

#FestivalOfCooling

From Tuesday 7th to Friday 10th October

This is in part a science fair, part an art show, part an ideas’ marketplace, part a music festival, part a networking ground, while remaining wholly an immersive celebration of sustainable cooling.

We aim to merge formal learning with informal discovery and lots of hands-on experience throughout the week. 

Come and join us at the Festival of Cooling to find out answers to a range of cooling questions you have always wondered about.

Clean cooling facts

40% of food is lost between production and consumption in sub-Saharan Africa

Festival of Cooling Fridge Competition QR Code

Enter competition

Upload cool fridge photos

Clean cooling facts

You can cool your food and drinks just by pedalling your bike

Festival Discussion
Card header image
Start-Ups Meet Experts in Innovation Clinic

The 3rd day of the Festival of Cooling brought together start-ups, innovators, cooling experts, university students, and staff, among others, to celebrate the intersection of innovation, design, and entrepreneurship in the cooling sector, where ideas...

Card header image
Students explore cooling innovations at ACES festival

The Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-Chain (ACES) and the Clean Cooling Network, hosted a successful Schools and Education Day during the ongoing Festival of Cooling, bringing together students and teachers from eight secondary...

View all CCN news
Clean cooling facts

Rwanda achieved the WHO targets for COVID-19 vaccine deployment during the pandemic and was one of only 4 African nations to achieve this.

Clean cooling facts

The sun might be hot, but it can be used to power clean cooling solutions

The Clean Cooling Network logo

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