SoPhiA workshop promotes innovation, energy efficiency in Africa

The workshop “Off-Grid Sustainable Solutions for Pharmacies and Hospitals in Africa (SoPhiA)”, organized by the Centre for Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency (CEREEC), took place on November 27, 2024 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The event brought together key stakeholders from across Africa and the world, including energy engineers, policy makers, international donors, refrigeration experts and private sector representatives to discuss sustainable cooling solutions for health facilities and the energy sector in general in West Africa.

One of the main aspects of the workshop was the presentation of several European Union-sponsored projects aimed at improving energy efficiency and promoting environmentally friendly cooling technologies in Africa. The following initiatives were presented:

1. SoPhiA (Off-Grid Sustainable Solutions for Pharmacies and Hospitals in Africa): a project focused on providing off-grid solar energy solutions to health facilities, pharmacies and hospitals in remote and underserved regions of Africa.
2. AGRICOOL: a project dedicated to the improvement of agricultural cooling solutions.
3. ROCA (Cooling Opportunities for Climate Action): a project to reduce the carbon footprint of refrigeration.
4. ECOFRIDGES: A project to introduce eco-friendly refrigerators, energy-saving techniques and sustainable practices to increase the longevity and performance of refrigeration systems in hospitals and clinics.

One of the main topics discussed during the workshop was the challenges faced by African refrigeration technicians, a vital workforce in maintaining cold chain solutions in both health and agriculture. It has been observed that many technicians lack formal training in modern refrigeration and natural soft drinks technologies, which are becoming more prevalent in climate-conscious projects. The office highlighted the urgent need for training in the refrigeration sector to ensure proper installation, maintenance and repair of energy-efficient systems.

Mr. Francis Sempore, Executive Director, CEREEC, stressed the importance of collaborative efforts between governments, the private sector and international financial donors to drive Africa’s energy transition and improve access to sustainable and affordable cooling solutions.