Speaking at the recent Nutrition for Growth summit in Paris, South Africa’s (SA) Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen highlighted the continent’s growing resilience but pointed to cooling systems as a neglected but essential component in ensuring food stability.

Samuel Jacobs, Head of Business Development for Refrigeration at Energy Partners, shed light on the issue. He explained that “Cooling as a Service” (CaaS), a model that allows users to access efficient cold storage without heavy upfront costs, is gaining traction as a practical solution across the continent.

“Cold storage infrastructure has long been bundled in with broader infrastructure challenges, which means it’s often overlooked,” Jacobs said. “The result is widespread food loss due to inadequate storage, particularly in rural areas.”

According to Jacobs, SA is among the few African countries with relatively robust cold storage capacity, around 10 cubic metres per 1000 urban residents, with Egypt close behind. In many other nations, the figure drops drastically.

Although development finance institutions have supported several cold chain projects, limited funding has led to what Jacobs describes as “a graveyard of cold storage” facilities that fall into disrepair due to lack of maintenance and long-term planning.

Jacobs argues that cold chain systems are vital for preserving food after harvest and ensuring it reaches markets in good condition. “It’s about protecting the bounty we already have,” he said. “With proper infrastructure, farmers can store their produce longer, reduce waste, and improve access to nutrition.”

Beyond the issue of aid cuts, notably the scaling back of the United States Power Africa initiative, Jacobs sees an opportunity for African nations to rethink how they invest in energy for cold storage.

“Power is non-negotiable when it comes to refrigeration. But Africa is rich in solar and hydro potential. We need to direct capital towards energy systems designed specifically to support cold storage,” he said.

Jacobs added that Energy Partners has been developing integrated systems that combine solar power, refrigeration, and heating, a three-pronged model that boosts energy efficiency and reduces reliance on unstable grids.

“The end of Power Africa is a setback, yes, but also a chance to rethink how we fund and build cold chain capacity. It’s not just about storage, it’s about strengthening the entire food system from farm to fork,” he said.

--ChannelAfrica--