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*Main image: Savanna Circuit employee demonstrates how to use a mobile milk storage unit, a Nomad Can
We’ve awarded funding to five cold chain companies in Kenya. This funding will help them scale business models and improve access to sustainable cooling for small-scale food producers across the country.
‘Cold chain’ refers to using cold storage solutions within the supply chain to preserve food and other perishables, reducing food waste and boosting local incomes.
“Our assistance will enable these innovators to help foster inclusive agricultural growth in Kenya over the long term.”
Energy Saving Trust
Agriculture plays a vital role in Kenya’s economy. It contributes 32% of the country’s GDP and employs almost 40% of the population.
But farmers still face major challenges at a critical point shortly after the harvest, where up to 40% of produce is lost. This is due to:
These challenges threaten food security in Kenya and reduce incomes for small-scale farmers.
The Kenya Cold Chain Accelerator (KCCA) is taking a holistic approach to enhance the cold chain ecosystem in Kenya.
Alongside funding, KCCA aims to help make companies more attractive to investors through customised advisory support, research, and talent development.
KCCA also aims to improve cross-sector collaboration and create a strong policy environment for Kenya’s cold chain market to grow.
We manage the initiative as co-Secretariat of Efficiency for Access, in partnership with Energy 4 Impact and GOGLA. KCCA is funded by the IKEA Foundation and the UK government through the Transforming Energy Access platform.
We’ve awarded funds to:
These companies will use solar-powered cold chain technologies to avoid food waste, cut emissions and improve incomes for small-scale farmers.
Christopher Beland, our technical programme manager, said:
“Cold chain is essential for strengthening food systems and promoting climate resilience in Kenya.
“What makes the KCCA unique is the tailored package of support for companies and ecosystem approach, which is positioned to drive systemic change.
“Our assistance will enable these innovators to help foster inclusive agricultural growth in Kenya over the long term.”
We’ve awarded Kuza Coolers funding to create a 40-ton solar-powered cold storage and fish aggregation hub in Western Kenya.
Kuza Coolers provides affordable solar-powered cold storage solutions for small-scale fishers and aquaculture farmers in Kenya’s off-grid regions. Through a ‘cooling-as-a-service’ model, fish is delivered to restaurants and vendors from cold storage units via electric motorbikes with portable freezers.
This project aims to cut food loss by 50% in 12 months and boost incomes by 30%. It will also empower 120 women traders through training and market access.
We’ve awarded Agrotech Plus funding to expand its cold chain network in Meru and Machakos counties. This will improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in the region.
Agrotech Plus provides stationary solar-powered cold rooms and mobile cold boxes mounted on tricycles and small vehicles. It currently operates 12 cold rooms and serves 1,500 farmers and traders.
The project expects to reach 3,000 horticultural farmers and reduce post-harvest losses by around 30%.
We’ve awarded Keep IT Cool with funding to extend its solar-powered cold chain network in the Lake Turkana region. Here, communities rely heavily on fishing but have limited access to refrigeration.
The project includes a 10-tonne solar-powered cold room, 45 solar freezers and 50 portable cool boxes.
The initiative aims to lower food losses by 60% and increase incomes by around 30%. It also aims to create 1,600 jobs, focussing on employing women and young people.
We’ve awarded Savanna Circuit funding to scale up its SOLAR THRIVE initiative. This is a solar-powered cold chain solution developed under the Efficiency for Access Research and Development Fund’s AgriTech project.
Savanna Circuit delivers off-grid cold chain solutions to Kenya’s dairy producers and small-scale fishers. In rural areas, around 25-40% of dairy and fish are spoiled due to a lack of cooling solutions.
This project already preserves 12 million litres of milk a year across 1,000 units all over Kenya. The funding will help deploy their mobile milk storage units – Nomad Cans – that come with digital tools to maintain quality.
We’ve awarded Chill Zone funding to build an integrated cold chain and processing system for passion fruit, mango and tamarillo.
Chill Zone aggregates fruit from around 450 farmers across Western Kenya, organising transport to centralised cool rooms. This lets farmers reach more premium markets, boosting their income.
This initiative will also create a factory in Eldoret to produce juice and jams, which will further reduce waste and increase its customer base. It also aims to reach 10,000 farmers in five years (currently 450).
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Last updated: 27 January 2026
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