The establishment of the National Ozone Officers Network for French-Speaking Africa in March 1994 marked a pivotal moment in the global effort to protect the ozone layer. Approved at the 12th Executive Committee Meeting, this network has grown to encompass 26 member countries. Notably, twenty-two of these are Countries In Africa Where French Is Spoken: Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo (Republic), Democratic Republic of Congo (D. R. C), Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Gabon, Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Senegal, Togo, and Tunisia. The network also includes three Portuguese-speaking African nations (Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, and Sao Tome & Principe) and one Spanish-speaking nation (Equatorial Guinea).
This impactful network benefits from the collaborative support of UNEP and its key Implementing Agencies, including UNIDO, UNDP, and the World Bank. Furthermore, bilateral assistance is provided by countries like Canada, France, and Switzerland, highlighting the international cooperation driving environmental progress in countries in Africa where French is spoken.
The daily operations and strategic direction of the French-Speaking Network are expertly managed by the Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) team at the UNEP Africa Office in Nairobi. The Montreal Protocol Regional Coordinator spearheads this team, ensuring network meetings are tailored to the specific needs and challenges faced by member countries in Africa where French is spoken.
Over two decades of dedicated effort have solidified the French-Speaking Network’s crucial role. Ozone Officers within these countries in Africa where French is spoken have developed significant expertise in coordinating national programs, managing HCFC phase-out management plans (HPMPs), strengthening national institutions, and leading other vital environmental projects.
2023 Africa_FR
Map illustrating French-speaking countries in Africa, highlighting the regions actively involved in the Montreal Protocol’s Ozone protection initiatives.
Remarkable Achievements in Ozone Protection
The French-Speaking Network has achieved significant milestones in environmental protection, demonstrating the commitment of countries in Africa where French is spoken to global environmental agreements. A key achievement is that every member country within the network is in full compliance with the Montreal Protocol. Impressively, several countries in Africa where French is spoken achieved the elimination of CFC use well in advance of mandated deadlines, showcasing strong political will and effective implementation capabilities.
To ensure the sustained elimination of CFCs and equipment that uses CFCs, these countries in Africa where French is spoken are actively maintaining rigorous monitoring and enforcement of bans on the import of CFCs and CFC-based equipment. This proactive approach is crucial for long-term environmental protection.
The CAP team has demonstrated a strong commitment to empowering Customs Officers in countries in Africa where French is spoken. Training programs focused on controlling the illegal trade of refrigerants have been instrumental. These programs include practical demonstrations on using refrigerant identifiers to verify the quality of imported refrigerants, ensuring effective control over refrigerant quality in import and export activities within countries in Africa where French is spoken.
Support provided by the CAP team has significantly enhanced national competencies across countries in Africa where French is spoken. Networking initiatives, specialized training for key stakeholders, and expert technical advice have built confidence within these nations. As a result, most countries in Africa where French is spoken are well-prepared to address remaining challenges in phasing out key ozone-depleting substances, even with limited funding for non-investment activities, effectively leveraging national expertise. Many National Ozone Units (NOUs) have actively participated in assessing their country’s environmental status and identifying future needs, demonstrating ownership and proactive engagement.
Through the dedicated work of the CAP team in Africa, public awareness regarding ozone layer depletion has been significantly elevated. The issue continues to receive in-depth consideration at both international and national policy levels, reflecting the growing environmental consciousness in countries in Africa where French is spoken.
South-South cooperation has notably increased within the region. Ozone Officers from countries in Africa where French is spoken are now frequently engaged as valuable resource persons and consultants by Implementing Agencies. They provide crucial assistance to neighboring countries in the preparation and implementation of projects aimed at phasing out ozone-depleting substances, fostering regional collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Future Objectives: Sustaining Momentum and Expanding Impact
The Africa French-speaking Network is strategically focused on a range of critical objectives to further enhance ozone layer protection and environmental sustainability in countries in Africa where French is spoken:
- Sustained CFCs Phase-Out: Maintaining the complete phase-out of CFCs and CFC-using equipment remains a top priority.
- Kigali Amendment Ratification: Guiding NOUs in establishing robust legislative and regulatory frameworks at the national level to facilitate the ratification of the Kigali Amendment is crucial. This amendment aims to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent greenhouse gases.
- Enforcement of ODS Regulations: Ensuring the full enforcement of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) regulations that have been adopted at national and sub-regional levels is essential for compliance and environmental integrity in countries in Africa where French is spoken.
- ECOWAS Collaboration: Experts representing member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are encouraged to recommend the adoption of texts by competent ECOWAS bodies to effectively implement the Kigali Amendment at a regional level, strengthening regional environmental governance within countries in Africa where French is spoken and surrounding nations.
- Enhanced Customs and Ozone Officer Collaboration: Promoting stronger collaboration between customs authorities and Ozone Officers within regional trade blocs such as the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and ECOWAS is vital. This collaboration focuses on Montreal Protocol-related information exchange and controlling illegal ODS trade. Ensuring the full involvement of countries in Africa where French is spoken in these blocs is a key objective, building upon existing cooperation with CEMAC and UEMOA. The Regional CAP team plans to facilitate bilateral Customs meetings between neighboring countries at key border points (e.g., Senegal/Mali, Burkina Faso/Togo) and sub-regional customs meetings, including CEMAC and UEMOA, to enhance on-the-ground cooperation.
- Intra-African Cooperation: Actively promoting cooperation among African countries, particularly to exchange valuable experiences on HPMP implementation and the implementation of the Kigali Amendment, fostering peer-to-peer learning and best practice sharing among countries in Africa where French is spoken and beyond.
- Low GWP Alternatives: Promoting the adoption of low Global Warming Potential (GWP) alternatives to HCFCs is critical for climate change mitigation and ozone layer protection.
- Control of Second-hand HCFC Equipment: Encouraging countries in Africa where French is spoken to implement controls on second-hand HCFC-based equipment to prevent the dumping of obsolete and environmentally harmful technologies.
- ODS Regulations and Action Plans: Supporting the establishment of effective ODS regulations and country-specific Action Plans, along with early detection mechanisms for the risk of non-compliance and illegal trade, ensuring proactive environmental management in countries in Africa where French is spoken.
- Montreal Protocol Future Discussions: Active participation in discussions shaping the future of the Montreal Protocol, ensuring that the perspectives and needs of countries in Africa where French is spoken are represented on the global stage.
- Customs Official Training: Expanding and intensifying training programs for customs officials at border levels, focusing on refrigerant identification techniques and improving the effective use of refrigerant identification devices, strengthening border control in countries in Africa where French is spoken.
- Refrigeration Technician Capacity Building: Prioritizing capacity building initiatives specifically for refrigeration technicians in informal workshops, enhancing skills and promoting best practices within the refrigeration sector in countries in Africa where French is spoken.
- Technician Certification Systems: Establishing certification systems for technicians and professionals in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning to ensure competency and promote high standards within the industry in countries in Africa where French is spoken.
- Media Professional Network: Creating a network of media professionals (journalists, communication specialists) to effectively support and disseminate information from national Ozone programs like the Senegal Ozone program, the Montreal Protocol, and the Kigali Amendment, enhancing public awareness and engagement in countries in Africa where French is spoken.
- Banning HCFC Equipment Imports: Implementing bans on the import of equipment based on HCFCs and second-hand HCFC-based equipment to accelerate the transition to ozone-friendly and climate-friendly alternatives in countries in Africa where French is spoken.
- HCFC-141b Flushing Ban: Enforcing a ban on the use of HCFC-141b for flushing, eliminating a harmful practice.
- HCFC Emission Control: Establishing robust control measures for HCFC emission/venting, minimizing environmental impact in countries in Africa where French is spoken.
These ambitious future objectives underscore the ongoing commitment of the French-Speaking African Network and countries in Africa where French is spoken to lead by example in global ozone layer protection and environmental stewardship.
___________________________________________________________________________________ REGIONAL CONTACTS
Main Contact:
Mr Yamar Guissé
Montreal Protocol Regional Coordinator for French-Speaking Africa
OzonAction CAP team – Africa
