United for Efficiency supports Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member countries to advance policies, strategies and actions for the phase-out of inefficient air conditioners, refrigerators and lighting. Emphasis is on an integrated policy approach so that a transition can be sustained by the regional market without continued external support or resources.
In particular, United for Efficiency is working with the Governments of Ghana and Senegal to coordinate, and maximise the effectiveness of, cooling market transformation activities in the region.
Energy-efficient lighting, appliances and equipment could save ECOWAS member countries annually:

26 TWH OF ELECTRICITY
equivalent to 12 power plants (500 MW)

3 BILLION US$
in reduced electricity bills

16.4 MILLION TONNES OF
CO2 EMISSIONS, equivalent
to taking over 9 million
passenger cars off the road
To see full details of the savings potential of the region as a whole, or details of U4E country-specific projects in the region, click on the relevant link below.
Scroll down to see details of the U4E’s regional projects in West Africa
Regional Projects
ECOWAS REFRIGERATORS AND AIR CONDITIONERS INITIATIVE
The ECOWAS Refrigerators and Air Conditioners Initiative (ECOFRIDGES) is a K-CEP funded project with the Governments of Ghana and Senegal, and the Basel Agency for Sustainable Energy (BASE). In collaboration with regional and local partners, ECOFRIDGES aims to accelerate adoption of energy-efficient and climate-friendly domestic refrigerators and room air conditioners, saving consumers money on their electricity bills, relieving demand on the power sector, and mitigating impacts on the environment.
Main Components:
- Conduct National Market Assessments
- Develop Financial Mechanisms to promote efficient, lower-global warming potential cooling products
- Enforce eligibility criteria, collect and recycle/process old, operable products
- Conduct communication campaigns to raise awareness
- Capacity building for others in ECOWAS based on lessons learned
KEY DOCUMENTS
No key documents from project partners are available at this time
NEWS
November 12, 2020
A New Mechanism to Facilitate Access to Energy-efficient and Environmentally…
The ECOWAS Refrigerators and Air Conditioners Initiative (ECOFRIDGES) announces a…
November 12, 2020
Un nouveau mécanisme pour faciliter l’accès aux réfrigérateurs et climatiseurs…
L’Initiative de la CEDEAO sur les Réfrigérateurs et les Climatiseurs…
October 23, 2020
ECOFRIDGES Green On-wage Financial Mechanism Launched in Ghana by the…
Environmentally friendly refrigerators and air conditioners will be more widely…