infrahub.africa

Background

In Nigeria, around 40% of food is lost along the value chain before reaching consumers, with negative economic, social, and environmental consequences. To address this problem, Nnaemeka Ikegwuonu founded ColdHubs Ltd. in 2015, pioneering the provision of solar-powered food storage units for Nigeria's markets and farms.

Approach

The ColdHubs use solar panels to power small refrigeration facilities for the storage of agricultural produce, significantly extending the shelf life and reducing food loss. Working on a pay-as-you-go model where users pay per crate stored, the ColdHubs can be accessed at a relatively affordable rate when compared to the usual cold storage options. ColdHubs serves farmers and retailers at 54 facilities in 22 states across Nigeria.‍

Environmental Impact

The use of solar energy reduces the need to rely on other, more polluting power sources (e.g. diesel generators) for cooling. By reducing the amount of food that has to be discarded, more utility is derived from the land, natural resources and labour that went into producing it, and from the energy that went into transporting it to market.‍

Success Factors

Adequate consultation with various stakeholders, particularly local communities, has enabled ColdHubs to successfully establish its facilities in different locations across the country.