AFRICA – InfraCo Africa, a member of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), has committed €5 million (US$5.4 million) in financing to British Enterprise Projects Ventures Limited (EPV), a specialist in food cold solutions.
The strategic investment aims to support EPV in implementing its pioneering “InspiraFarms Cooling” service, focusing on pre-cooling and food cold chain technologies for horticultural and animal products, across four countries in sub-Saharan Africa—Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Ghana.
InspiraFarms Cooling, in its pilot phase, will provide cold storage warehouses designed for flowers, fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy products.
These warehouses can be powered by the electricity grid or alternative energy sources, potentially leading to energy savings of up to 25%.
InfraCo Africa’s investment is set to finance a minimum of five installations of the InspiraFarms Cooling service, addressing the critical issue of post-harvest losses in the agri-food industry.
The partnership aligns with the pressing need to strengthen the cold chain infrastructure in Africa, where post-harvest losses range from 30% to 40%, far exceeding the global average of 14% as reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Omar Jabri, the new business development manager of InfraCo Africa, emphasized the significance of providing farmers with access to cold storage facilities.
The investment is expected to contribute to reducing the economic and environmental impact of post-harvest losses, creating employment opportunities across the supply chain and improving the quality and standards necessary for international market shipments.
InfraCo Africa’s commitment to finance at least five installations of the InspiraFarms Cooling service demonstrates the organization’s dedication to addressing post-harvest losses and supporting sustainable agriculture in the region.
This investment comes at a time when initiatives focusing on improving the cold chain infrastructure in Africa are gaining momentum.
Earlier this year, Cold Solutions Limited announced a substantial investment of $70 million to construct a state-of-the-art temperature-controlled cold storage facility in Kenya.
The facility, situated in the Tatu City Special Economic Zone, is set to become the largest and most advanced in the region, promoting efficiency in the cold chain and mitigating post-harvest losses.
As sub-Saharan Africa seeks to enhance its cold chain capabilities, investments such as InfraCo Africa support the region’s agricultural development, reduce food waste, and strengthen its position in the global market.
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