INWIC discusses gender issues at the ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum

For the second time, the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) took part in the ECOWAS Sustainable Energy Forum (ESEF), this year held on November 28-29 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The IIR’s participation highlighted the significant progress made by its projects in the region, particularly in the fields of solar cooling, sustainable refrigeration, and strengthened partnerships with stakeholders to continue delivering clean energy solutions.

A step toward a just energy transition

ESEF, organised by the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), is an annual event designed to foster partnerships and explore investment opportunities in the energy sector across West Africa. This year’s theme, “Towards a Just Energy Transition in the ECOWAS Region”, attracted over 400 participants from 30 countries, including policymakers, industry leaders, and global experts. The forum aimed to address the region’s energy challenges while promoting sustainable and affordable energy solutions, reaffirming ESEF’s place as the region’s premier event for energy stakeholders.

INWIC at the SophiA Workshop focusing on gender issues

On November 27, the IIR organized a 3-hour workshop focusing on solar cooling and heating technologies, showcasing projects that have already made significant strides in the ECOWAS region. The workshop was held at the Centre des Conventions Hôtel Radisson Blu (Salle Bamako), and was hybrid, allowing participation from partners and students who could not attend in person. More than 70 persons participated to this workshop! More than 70 persons participated to this workshop with half of students’ particpation including 4 young girls!
Dr. Ina Colombo delivered a second presentation on Women in Cooling, highlighting the IIR’s CaRe working group and INWIC (International Network of Women in Cooling). She shared insights from global surveys on women’s participation in the refrigeration, air-conditioning, and heat pump (RACHP) sectors, emphasizing the need for continued advocacy to address challenges such as gender pay gaps and limited access to leadership roles for women in some regions.

Throughout the workshop, participants engaged in lively Q&A sessions, exchanging ideas and solutions for overcoming the region’s energy and cooling challenges. Following the presentations, a networking break provided ample opportunity for further discussions and collaboration.

On November 29, in addition to the SophiA workshop, the secretary of IIR CaRe working group and INWIC President-Elect 2025 Ina Colombo, as well as the President of U-3ARC Madi Sakande, participated in a panel session on women entrepreneurs in the clean energy sector, moderated by the GIZ. Her presentation sparked a vibrant discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing women in the energy sector, particularly in Africa. Ina Colombo presented the results from West African respondents of Women in Cooling Worldwide Survey undertaken by CaRe, aimed to better understand the career paths, motivations, challenges and opportunities faced by women working in the industry. Some workshop attendees questioned the viability of the results presented which led to the possibility of conducting a regional survey in the ECOWAS zone to further explore these issues. The INWIC mentoring and networking activities were highlighted as key strategies to enhance women’s participation in the RACHP sector.

Recognition at ESEF 2024

The IIR was awarded the prestigious ECREEE AWARD for its outstanding contribution to sustainable energy development through the SophiA project, recognising the institute’s efforts in promoting solar cooling and sustainable energy technologies across Africa.