U-3ARC U-3ARC Union of Associations of African Actors in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
U-3ARC Union of Associations of African Actors in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

New Cold Akademy: A Successful First Pan-African Training Session!

Redaction: Lassane OUÉDRAOGO

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. From February 16 to 20, 2026, U-3ARC reached a new milestone in its mission to build skills across the continent. The New Cold Akademy, the training center led by Madi Sakandé, President of U-3ARC, was officially launched with an intensive training session bringing together 16 technicians from three African countries.

New Cold Akademy: A Successful First Pan-African Training Session!

This inaugural course, titled "Training on RAC Best Practices, F-Gases & Flammables", welcomed:

  • 11 participants from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
  • 4 participants from Burkina Faso, the host country
  • 1 participant from Congo

A Center Meeting International Standards

In line with the vision announced by President Madi Sakandé during the launch of the EAFC center in Tunis, the New Cold Akademy is now fully operational. The facility is equipped with five didactic cold rooms, designed to replicate real-world conditions for installation, commissioning, and maintenance.


A Strategic Partnership for Technical Excellence

This first session was held under the auspices of Centro Studi Galileo (CSG), U-3ARC's historic partner, with the support of ATF – Associazione dei Tecnici del Freddo. The training was delivered by Max Vanderhenst, an expert trainer from CSG, who praised the participants' high level and motivation.

"It was a great honor to participate in the official launch of the new CSG – New Cold System academy in Burkina Faso. I found high-level participants with a strong motivation to grow in our industry. The F-Gas course, structured according to the European standard of Centro Studi Galileo, represents a concrete first step towards transferring advanced technical skills. The hope is to contribute to building a structured F-Gas training and certification system on a pan-African scale." Max Vanderhenst

Madi Sakandé, President of U-3ARC and founder of the center, emphasizes the strategic vision behind this achievement:

"This first official course marks the beginning of a strategic collaboration between Italy and Africa in the refrigeration sector. We thank U-3ARC, Centro Studi Galileo, ATF, and all our partner companies for believing in this initiative. The new academy will allow us to train qualified technicians, strengthen the cold chain, and support local economic development, generating concrete benefits for both the African and Italian markets."* – Dr. Madi Sakandé, President of U-3ARC

A Growing Pan-African Network

Following the launch of the EAFC center in Tunis and now the inauguration of the New Cold Akademy in Ouagadougou, U-3ARC is steadily building its network of certified training centers across the continent. The goal is clear: to ensure that every African technician can access cutting-edge skills and certifications without leaving Africa.

Advanced vocational training is no longer a privilege reserved for those who can travel. It is becoming an accessible right, delivered on the ground, to serve the continent's development.