Solar Power Transforming Cold Storage in African Agriculture

In Nairobi, Kenya, farmer Yvonne Anyonyi Mumiah begins her mornings tending to her rosemary, basil, and other crops bound for European markets. Previously, she feared transport delays or extreme temperatures might ruin her produce. Now, she relies on solar-powered cool storage from SoKo Fresh, a company offering a pay-per-use model based on the weight of stored goods. This trend in Africa addresses the persistent challenge of food spoilage.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation reports that up to 40% of food in Africa spoils between harvest and market. This is mostly due to inadequate storage, transport, and processing facilities. Solar power offers a solution by preserving goods for market without depending on costly or unreliable electricity grids. This transition is advancing across Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and South Africa.

“The biggest challenge was preserving the quality after harvest,” said Mumiah.

Like many small farmers, Mumiah couldn’t afford the $30,000 needed for a personal solar-powered cold storage unit. However, the flexibility provided by shared cold storage means farmers are not pressured to sell immediately. This preserves both produce and income, allowing farmers to wait for optimal collection times.

As climate change, rising temperatures, and supply chain disruptions increase, cooling technology is becoming essential. In countries like India, China, Japan, the Netherlands, and the U.S., advanced cold-chain networks enable extended marketability of fresh produce. In much of Africa, however, immediate sale of crops post-harvest is often necessary due to a lack of such facilities, leading to significant losses.

The problem is worsened by increasing temperatures that quicken spoilage of food items like vegetables, fruits, dairy products, and fish. Conventional refrigeration is impractical in many rural areas due to sporadic electricity supply.

“Cold storage remains one of the missing links in Africa’s agricultural value chains,” remarked Emmanuel Aziebor from CLASP.

When farmers have access to storage, they can access better markets, reduce waste, and earn more. For instance, SoKo Fresh reports that their service has reduced spoilage rates from 50% to under 2%, helping farmers increase earnings by up to 50% per kilogram.

Nigeria-based companies like ColdHubs provide solar-powered walk-in cold rooms in major agricultural markets. In Rwanda, solar refrigeration aids dairy cooperatives in improving milk collection. Ethiopia is expanding cold-chain investments to support its horticultural exports, a fast-growing sector.

These innovations are critical as African countries aim to enhance food security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Traditional cold storage often relies on diesel generators where electricity is unreliable. Solar alternatives cut fuel use, operating costs, and emissions.

The most impactful benefit, however, may be economic. Past development efforts focused on expanding electricity access without considering productive use for income generation. According to Aziebor, this opportunity must be seized.

Solar technology extends beyond cold storage. Across Africa, solar-powered irrigation systems support year-round agriculture. Solar milling machines and processing equipment add value to agricultural products locally.

Financial challenges persist. “The challenge today is not demonstrating that these systems work,” said Carol Koech of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet. “It is building enough bankable projects to attract larger investments.”

Grants, low-interest loans, and donor support can help with initial costs. Yet, commercial investment remains elusive due to fragmented markets dominated by small-scale producers. SoKo Fresh CEO Denis Karema highlights this difficulty, noting the perceived risks of emerging technologies and the expense of funding such projects.

This article is part of The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage, supported by multiple private foundations. AP is responsible for its content.