CCN India team to join Cool World conference
15th Aug 2025
Representatives from the CCN team for India will join the international “Cool World: Sustainable Cold-Chain for the Global South” conference in October to discuss the programme’s plans.
Innovation in Postgraduate Education – The Africa Center of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-Chain’s Centre for Master Training (ACES-CMT)
8th Aug 2025
The higher education sector is undergoing rapid changes as the need for access to learning opportunities has never been greater, new skill sets are required to support future challenges, and mechanisms for engaging students are evolving swiftly.
Launch of the First Clean Cooling Academy online course
4th Aug 2025
The new e-learning course, “Essentials in Cold-Chain Systems”, has been jointly developed by experts from CCN/ACES and the University of Birmingham, London South Bank, and Cranfield University.
Advancing Cold Transport Solutions: Installation and Testing of Solar-Powered PCM Freezer at ACTS
31st Jul 2025
Following a month of technology testing, the Lari farmers will be using PCM cold storage (charged in a solar-powered freezer) and insulated boxes to move temperature sensitive horticulture produce to market. They will be able to test the performance against their traditional vehicle with Carrier TRU as part of the Try Before You Buy (TBYB) programme.
ACES SPOKE programme delivers farmers 50% uplift in return
30th Jul 2025
In March 2025, the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), in collaboration with the Clean Cooling Network, the Lari Horticultural Farmers’ Cooperative Society Limited (LHFCSL), and key stakeholders, launched Kenya’s and Africa’s first “Try Before You Buy” (TBYB) sustainable cooling and cold-chain unit in Kinale, Lari Sub-County, Kiambu County.
Our community cold-chain development programme is open for applications
29th Jul 2025
Smallholder farmer organizations operating within 200kms of Nairobi, Kenya are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to participate in our next community cold-chain engagement programme. As an example of the programme’s success, the Lari cooperative has been able to earn – on average – over 50% higher return for their produce than previously due to their participation in the programme.
Breaking Biases and Barriers: Diverse professionals unite at the ACES for ‘GESI Sensitisation and Integration Workshop’
25th Jul 2025
A dynamic and diverse group of 16 professionals spanning a range of backgrounds, ages and geographic origins have convened at the ACES campus for a week-long intensive workshop on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) - within a cooling and cold-chain context.
Lighting the Torch on Brazing
26th Jun 2025
In the race toward sustainable cooling and climate resilience, one seemingly small skill plays an outsized role: brazing. This week marked an important milestone for our refrigeration students, as we hosted our very first one-day Brazing Techniques for Refrigeration Systems course at the ACES, Clean Cooling Academy in Kigali.
CCN Annual Review: June 2025
20th Jun 2025
This has been a pivotal year for the Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain Solutions Programme. Activities have transitioned from the design and development of core facilities, tools, training, and content to ramped-up implementation through delivery of training courses, demonstration, testing, and roll-out of activities through the Clean Cooling Network (CCN), serving as the umbrella brand.
Training for Tomorrow: The Role of R448A Rigs at ACES
16th Jun 2025
As global temperatures rise, so does the demand for sustainable cooling. At the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain (ACES), Rubirizi campus in Kigali, R448A training rigs are shaping the next generation of refrigeration professionals.
Strengthening cold-chain systems in Africa can reduce food loss locally while supporting more robust and sustainable supply chains worldwide.
11th Jun 2025
University of Birmingham and partners extend sustainable cooling programme in Africa A major programme, led by the University of Birmingham and UNEP United for Efficiency, is extending its work in Africa over the next 12 months to speed the transition to clean cold - reducing food loss and improve vaccine and health supply chains.
Cool Innovations, Hot Ideas, Real-World Impact... The Festival of Cooling is Coming to Kigali!
2nd Jun 2025
Between 22nd - 26th September 2025, at the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold Chain (ACES), this one-of-a-kind festival will turn a quiet revolution into a loud celebration. Five thrilling days in Kigali!
The ACES team visit the Ntarama Genocide Memorial
22nd Apr 2025
On April 9th, 2025, the team from the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain (ACES) visited the Ntarama Genocide Memorial to honour the memory of the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
CCN and ACES announce the Festival of Cooling for September 2025
13th Mar 2025
The Clean Cooling Network and the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain (ACES) are hosting a week-long, public engagement “Festival of Cooling” (Sept 22nd – 26th) at the ACES Campus in Kigali, Rwanda, and via an outreach programme.
Signing moves Haryana Centre of Excellence a step closer to opening
21st Feb 2025
The Haryana-UK Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Crop Post-Harvest Management & Cold-Chain will help farmers get more of their crops to market sustainably.
Simulation-Based Optimization for Large-Scale Perishable Agri-Food Cold Chain
24th Jan 2025
The global food supply chain faces significant challenges in maintaining quality and safety of perishable agri-food products. This study introduces a novel approach to demonstrate the efficiency of using the perishable agri-food cold supply chain.
ACES welcomes generous support for its new Refrigeration Training Centre
3rd Dec 2024
The Africa Centre of Excellence (ACES) is thrilled to announce the support of two UK companies, DiversiTech Global and BusinessEdge Ltd, for the establishment of its state-of-the-art Refrigeration Training Centre.
Clean Cooling Network launches work with Kenyan farmers to build their own Community Cooling Hub
26th Nov 2024
More than 130 Kenyan farmers attended a Clean Cooling Network open day - signing up for free training in Cold-chain and Postharvest Management, and testing the latest cold-chain technology.
UK and Rwandan Minister tour joint Africa centre for resilient cold-chains
6th Sep 2024
The new UK Minister for Africa, Lord Collins, visited the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain (ACES) in Kigali, Rwanda during the Africa Food Systems Forum Annual Summit.
Global health expertise is deployed to support the control of Mpox disease in Africa
2nd Sep 2024
Experts in infectious diseases, immune diagnostics and vaccines who have been working in Rwanda for years and will now engage on the needs of disease outbreak.
International experts and state government of Haryana develop Centre of Excellence
14th Aug 2024
A new Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Crop Post-Harvest Management will create blueprint for Indian horticulture farmers to get more produce to market.
ACES Annual Review: March 2024
25th Jul 2024
In less than four years, we have progressed rapidly from conceptualisation to the realisation of a physical campus in Kigali, the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain (ACES).
Cooling is critical infrastructure for tackling climate change impact
18th Jul 2024
Governments and policy makers must recognise cooling as critical national infrastructure (CNI) if humanity is to build resilience to the impact of climate change, according to a new report.
New blood-free tetanus test could help identify global immunity gaps
16th Jul 2024
A new fast test may help identify children missing immunity to tetanus and other essential vaccines.
The Hot Reality: Living in a +50°C World
16th Jul 2024
The Hot Reality: Living in a +50°C World (published 18th July) calls for a radical shift in policy to create more ambitious strategies for delivering cooling and effectively managing energy use and achieving reductions in cooling demand.
Measles Vaccine Coverage and Disease Outbreaks
8th May 2024
We aimed to evaluate changes to measles-containing vaccine (MCV) provision and subsequent measles disease cases in low- and lower-middle income countries (LICs, LMICs) in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.
African farming communities kick start cold-chain in continent
25th Mar 2024
Farmers and fishers in Rwanda are joining sustainable cooling experts to learn how clean-cold technology can revolutionise their businesses.
Cooling and health experts join forces for African sustainable vaccine network
25th Mar 2024
Major African symposium brings together industry, academia, medical professionals and health agencies to drive progress in sustainable vaccine logistics.
UK Government commits to address the urgent lack of cold-chain in Africa
25th Mar 2024
Developing countries will receive £4 million to reduce harmful emissions from outdated air conditioning units, cooling refrigeration and cold supply chains.
Team now in place at India’s clean cold centres of excellence
25th Mar 2024
Experts are ready to promote innovation and accelerate deployment of energy-efficient refrigeration for food and vaccine supply chains across India.
Rwanda and UK Governments join IFC to advance Africa cold chain progress
25th Mar 2024
The Rwanda and UK governments joined forces at COP27 to help speed the delivery of innovative cooling technologies in Africa.
Sustainable cooling experts gather in Washington for global food loss summit
25th Mar 2024
Sustainable cooling experts are gathering in Washington to create a blueprint for rolling out affordable solutions to help African food producers reduce waste and their carbon footprint.
COP27 - No Time to Waste
25th Mar 2024
BBC Future’s William Park talks to experts about the research & innovation that’s helping us tackle food waste, in a webinar from the Horticulture Quality and Food Loss Network.
Cold Chain Report 23: Energy Tech Will Have Greatest Influence On UK Cold Chain’s Next 10 Years
25th Mar 2024
Cold chain professionals say energy management technologies will have more influence over temperature-controlled logistics in the coming decade than automation, blockchain or changes to demand for cold chain products.
Birmingham global cooling summit launches new partnership
25th Mar 2024
We're taking the next steps toward delivering sustainable, resilient cold-chains to distribute food and medicines effectively in Africa, India and beyond.
COP President Alok Sharma Visits A Unique Centre In Africa Dedicated To Supporting Sustainable Cooling
25th Mar 2024
COP President, the Rt. Hon. Alok Sharma MP, visited the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain (ACES) during his attendance at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Africa’s Cold Rush and the Promise of Refrigeration - The New Yorker
25th Mar 2024
For the developing world, refrigeration is growth. In Rwanda, it could spark an economic transformation.
General manager appointed for African Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold chain (ACES)
25th Mar 2024
Morris Kayitare has been appointed general manager for the African Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold chain (ACES).
ACES advances Africa cold chain progress through international partnership
25th Mar 2024
The African Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain (ACES) is working with a major global cold-chain provider.
“Help us to understand priority gaps where ACES can be of service”
25th Mar 2024
Brian Holuj, Strategic Delivery Lead for the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-Chain (ACES), overviews the ACES Engagement Day.
Clean cold centre of excellence launches in India
25th Mar 2024
The Telangana Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold Chain will promote food and health security, empower farmers and boost exports.
Cooling is Critical Infrastructure
25th Mar 2024
The European Commission defines ‘Critical Infrastructure’ as an asset or system which is essential for the maintenance of vital societal functions.
UK-India innovation centre kick-starts sustainable cooling journey
21st Mar 2024
University of Birmingham experts are joining the Government of Telangana State to create a 'hot spot' for sustainable cooling innovation in India.
Rwanda’s Environment Minister opens Africa’s sustainable cooling and cold-chain centre
9th Mar 2024
Honourable Rwanda Minister of the Environment Dr Jeanne d'Arc Mujawamariya today formally opened the Africa Centre for Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain (ACES).
Delivering vaccines by drone in Rwanda
5th Feb 2024
Ground-breaking work by Dr Christopher Green, Associate Clinical Professor in Infectious Diseases at the University of Birmingham, is looking at how future disease outbreaks might be better controlled using unmanned aerial vehicles.
