Kigali centre is officially F-gas registered
19th January 2026
UK: The Kigali-based Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold Chain Systems (ACES) has been registered as a UK recognised training facility on The F-Gas Register.
ACES was established in 2020 by the governments of the UK and Rwanda, the Centre for Sustainable Cooling, the United Nations Environment Programme’s United for Efficiency initiative and the University of Rwanda.
Working with UNEP and UK academics, led by the University of Birmingham, ACES is a first-of-a-kind centre of excellence focused on establishing sustainable, resilient, and equitable cooling and cold-chain systems as critical infrastructure led by local talent, expertise, and innovation. It specifically delivers knowledge creation, transfer and use to ensure the roll-out of equitable, inclusive and sustainable cold-chain in Africa.
Graeme Fox, director of schemes at the F-Gas Register – one of the original f-gas certifying bodies, said, “As the only f-gas certifying body with in-house expertise in the regulations and the specific RACHP sector we are perfectly positioned to assist the ACES in securing recognition of the work they are doing in Kigali and beyond.”
F-Gas registration is a legal requirement for business entities operating in the stationary refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump market employing f-gas qualified operatives.
The engineers listed for ACES’ registration have all been verified to have UK approved f-gas qualifications in line with DEFRA requirements and the centre will be subject to the same requirements as any other F-Gas Register member.
ACES technical director, Basile Seburikoko, said “Receiving the Company F-Gas Certificate is a major step forward for ACES. It confirms that our systems, equipment and technical practices meet internationally recognised standards.”
Describing the certification as a major step forward for ACES, its technical director, Basile Seburikoko, said: “This certification enables ACES to provide services to companies and institutions in Rwanda at an international level, while supporting the country’s transition to climate-friendly cooling technologies. This achievement enhances our ability to work closely with industry, training institutions and government stakeholders. By combining certified services with modern demonstration equipment, ACES is helping to build skills, ensure compliance, and raise standards across the refrigeration and air conditioning sector in Rwanda.”
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