Breathtakingly beautiful and astonishingly resilient, Rwanda is a country like no other. Nestled in the heart of Africa, this land of sprawling lakes, beautiful hillsides, and smoking volcanoes has an indelible charm. Though most visitors come to witness the famed mountain gorillas, my time in Rwanda revealed a wealth of beauty, both natural and human, that far surpasses any expectation. My recent experience working with the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold Chain (ACES) was transformative, not just professionally but personally.
When I was invited to contribute to ACES, it was an opportunity I could not refuse. Rwanda, like much of Sub-Saharan Africa, faces the dual challenges of food insecurity and climate vulnerability. Poverty, agricultural competition, and climate change have combined to create a pressing need for innovative solutions in food preservation and distribution. With the UN Sustainable Development Goal to end hunger by 2030 as a guide, Rwanda is working tirelessly to build sustainable systems that ensure food security for its people.
The ACES initiative is central to these efforts. Situated on a five-hectare campus near Kigali, with an adjacent 200-hectare farm, the centre fosters collaborative research, tests new equipment, develops knowledge, and delivers training programs. My role in designing and building specialist test chambers was pivotal in advancing the centre’s mission. But to truly understand the needs of the project, I first had to understand Rwanda itself.
Traveling the country was eye-opening. From the bustling streets of Kigali to the serene countryside, I saw firsthand the challenges and opportunities in the supply chain. As a practical engineer, I was impressed to find a growing acceptance of natural refrigerants like R290. However, being a landlocked country with limited existing cold-chain infrastructure, sourcing reliable and cutting-edge equipment posed significant hurdles.
My exploration wasn’t just professional. It was deeply personal. As a passionate mountain biker, I took to Rwanda’s famous “land of a thousand hills” under my own power. This immersive approach brought me closer to the real Rwanda, the people. From children operating water pumps to families depending on mobile technology for everyday needs, I encountered a resourceful and warm community. Until you meet a Rwandan, you cannot fully appreciate why it is the “Gem of Africa.”
My work also took me into the heart of Rwanda’s agricultural and industrial sectors. I assisted the National Agricultural Export Board (NAEB) & (RAB) in identifying and addressing failing post-harvest equipment. With an emphasis on practical solutions, I helped optimise cold storage tenders for perishable goods and how we will deliver technical training to farmers. This included looking at ways to improving cold-chain management for meat supply, a crucial step in maintaining quality and safety for domestic and export markets.
The Gako meat production project was particularly rewarding. By assisting with designing cold storage facilities for slaughterhouses to contribute to increasing meat production and quality an effort vital to both food security and economic development. My consultations spanned vaccine cooling, dairy processing, commercial retail cooling, and even brewery refrigeration. These engagements underscored the breadth of cold-chain applications and their transformative potential for Rwanda.
Drawing parallels with the Western world’s 20th-century adoption of cold-chain infrastructure, I see a similar journey unfolding in Central Africa. Just as refrigeration revolutionised food safety and reduced waste in the West, Rwanda is poised to harness these technologies to improve its agricultural output and enhance the lives of its people.
Looking back, my time in Rwanda is more than just another project. It is a profound lesson in resilience and innovation. The people I met, the landscapes I traversed, and the challenges I tackled have left an indelible mark and I have more future trips to come as we complete the work. To play even a small part in Rwanda’s journey toward sustainable progress is a privilege I will cherish forever.
As I reflect on my career in the cooling industry, I realise just how meaningful it has been. Rwanda’s story is still being written, but the steps being taken today through initiatives like ACES are setting the foundation for a brighter, more sustainable future. For me, this has been more than a professional milestone; it has been a journey of the heart.
I am thrilled to share that this journey is far from over. I will be returning to Rwanda for future projects and continuing to support this inspiring nation as it strides forward to a sustainable and prosperous future.