HISTORIC: African Campuses Move Towards Net Zero!

January 22, 2026 – A date to remember.

Today, African universities are taking a historic step forward. A decisive step toward decarbonizing Africa’s education sector was taken today. The Green TERRE Foundation (GTF) and the Union of Associations of African Actors in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (U-3ARC) signed a strategic partnership aimed at transforming universities across the continent into leaders in the fight against climate change.

The signing ceremony took place online, bringing together key figures from across the climate and refrigeration sectors. Dr. Rajendra Shende, Director and Founder of the Green TERRE Foundation, and Madi Sakandé, President of U-3ARC, formalized the agreement in the presence of Francis Semporé, Stephen Gill, founder of the World Refrigeration Day, as well as Juliette Kongo/Yabré, U-3ARC Ambassador for Refrigeration, accompanied by technical experts from the field.

Training Africa’s Next Generation

At the core of this partnership is the commitment to equip African youth with the skills and knowledge needed for carbon neutrality. By combining U-3ARC’s technical expertise in refrigeration and air conditioning with the Smart Campus Cloud Network (SCCN) of GTF, the initiative aims to provide students and faculty with hands-on skills in sustainable management and energy efficiency.

Both Dr. Rajendra Shende and Madi Sakandé emphasized that universities should become “living laboratories”, where buildings, infrastructure, and academic programs serve as experimental grounds for the energy transition. Through rigorous carbon footprint assessments and faculty engagement, academic institutions will be able to formulate University Determined Contributions (UDCs) aligned with global climate objectives.

Addressing Africa-Specific Challenges

This partnership goes beyond emissions reduction. It targets critical regional priorities, including food and energy security. By improving refrigeration management, the partners aim to support farmers and rural populations while also contributing to deforestation mitigation efforts.

The official document states:

“Together, we aim to empower youth to shape a sustainable future and position Africa not only as a territory to protect, but as a source of solutions and global hope”.

An International Advocacy

The partnership also includes collaboration in major international climate forums, such as COPs and MOPs for ozone layer protection. The objective is to amplify Africa’s expertise and demonstrate the continent’s leadership in ecological innovation and local knowledge.

A New Era for African Higher Education

This two-year partnership marks the beginning of a new era where academic excellence meets environmental responsibility, transforming campuses into engines of sustainable development and resilient communities in the face of climate challenges.