The Social Housing Energy Efficiency Cooling Program supports Burkina Faso in addressing the growing demand for cooling while promoting sustainable and climate-responsive housing solutions. As temperatures rise across the Sahel, the project promotes passive cooling design approaches that reduce indoor heat stress and limit reliance on energy-intensive mechanical air conditioning.

The project aims to support Burkina Faso in reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the building sector by promoting sustainable cooling solutions. Specifically, it seeks to:

Burkina Faso is experiencing rapid urbanization and rising temperatures. All of which are driving a sharp increase in demand for cooling. Urbanization reached approximately 32% in 2018 and continues to grow, alongside expansion in the real estate sector.

Between 2016 and 2020, imports of air conditioning equipment increased by 26.5% compared to the 2011–2015 period, reflecting the growing reliance on mechanical cooling. However, the market is largely dominated by inefficient technologies, including air conditioning units using refrigerants with high Global Warming Potential (GWP), due to limited regulatory controls.

The building sector further compounds these challenges. Many constructions do not consider local climatic conditions or energy performance standards, resulting in high energy consumption among higher-income households and thermal discomfort among lower-income populations who lack access to cooling systems.

Recognizing these challenges, the Government of Burkina Faso and its partners have integrated energy efficiency and climate adaptation measures into national frameworks, including the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the National Adaptation Plan. The inclusion of energy efficiency measures for cooling in revised NDCs reflects growing commitment to address emissions and improve resilience.