InfraCo Africa, a leading member of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), has injected a transformative €5 million (US$5.4 million) into British Enterprise Projects Ventures Limited (EPV). This strategic investment is set to propel EPV’s innovative “InspiraFarms Cooling” service, a game-changer in the realm of pre-cooling and food cold chain technologies. Operating across Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Ghana, this initiative is poised to revolutionize the agricultural landscape in sub-Saharan Africa.
InspiraFarms Cooling: Revolutionizing Cold Storage
The core of this visionary initiative lies in the deployment of cold storage warehouses specifically designed for horticultural and animal products. From flowers, fruits, and vegetables to meat and dairy products, these state-of-the-art facilities are set to redefine post-harvest storage in the region. Notably, these warehouses can be powered by the electricity grid or alternative energy sources, offering the potential for remarkable energy savings of up to 25%.
InfraCo Africa’s substantial investment is earmarked to fund a minimum of five installations of the InspiraFarms Cooling service. This strategic move directly addresses the critical challenge of post-harvest losses, a pervasive issue plaguing the agri-food industry in the region.
Combatting Post-Harvest Losses: A Vital Mission
Post-harvest losses in sub-Saharan Africa currently range from 30% to 40%, a staggering statistic that far surpasses the global average of 14% reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). InfraCo Africa’s commitment to investing in the InspiraFarms Cooling service aligns seamlessly with the urgent need to fortify the cold chain infrastructure in the region.
Omar Jabri, the new business development manager of InfraCo Africa, underscores the significance of providing farmers with access to cold storage facilities. This strategic move is not merely an investment; it’s a commitment to reducing the economic and environmental impact of post-harvest losses, fostering employment opportunities across the supply chain, and elevating the quality and standards essential for international market shipments.
Sustainable Agriculture: A Shared Vision
InfraCo Africa’s pledge to finance at least five installations of the InspiraFarms Cooling service stands as a testament to the organization’s unwavering dedication to addressing post-harvest losses and promoting sustainable agriculture in the region. This investment resonates powerfully in an era where initiatives aimed at enhancing cold chain infrastructure are gaining momentum.
Earlier this year, Cold Solutions Limited announced a significant investment of $70 million to construct a cutting-edge, temperature-controlled cold storage facility in Kenya. Nestled in the Tatu City Special Economic Zone, this facility is poised to become the largest and most advanced in the region, ushering in unparalleled efficiency in the cold chain and significantly mitigating post-harvest losses.
Charting the Future: Strengthening Africa’s Global Position
As sub-Saharan Africa steadfastly seeks to bolster its cold chain capabilities, investments such as the one made by InfraCo Africa emerge as catalysts for transformative change. Beyond curbing food waste, these strategic moves play a pivotal role in positioning the region as a formidable force in the global market. InfraCo Africa’s visionary investment is not merely in infrastructure; it’s an investment in the prosperity, sustainability, and global prominence of African agriculture.
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