The Social Housing Energy Efficiency Cooling Program

As the climate warms across the Sahel region, households increasingly turn to mechanical air conditioning for cooling. In Burkina Faso, low-cost and inefficient air conditioning units are commonly sold and installed to provide a much-needed respite from the heat. The demand for mechanical cooling is growing in the country, linked to increasing urbanization: 32% in 2018, forecast to reach 35% by 2026,1 and real estate sector development (7.5% per year). Complemented by the increasing coverage of the electricity grid, the number of households with air-conditioners is increasing. The Government of Burkina Faso is committed to reduce energy demand and enhance energy efficiency in the housing sector. Through this project, the Government aims to reduce GHG emissions from the cooling of the residential housing sector. This will be achieved through the implementation of architectural and structural solutions in the National Housing Program for 40,000 Housing Units, with the potential to scale up the solutions in housing developments across the country. Ultimately the project will serve as a reference for the Sahel region, with other countries in the region sharing a similar context and experience common challenges.