| Company | Enterprise Project Ventures (EPV) |
| Sector | Agri-infrastructure |
| Country | Kenya, Ghana, Zambia and Zimbabwe |
| Total Project Cost | EUR 5m |
| PIDG Commitment |
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| Dates of PIDG involvement |
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Agriculture represents 35% of Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Across sub-Saharan Africa, it is estimated that a lack of access to post-harvest infrastructure such as cold storage facilities results in food losses of 30-50 per cent. Across the globe, such losses are responsible for 3.3 billion tonnes of CO2e emissions, contributing to climate change.
‘First-mile’ cooling is key to preserving the market value of produce, however, only a small proportion of Africa’s farmers currently have access to cold storage close to where their produce is grown. Enabling agribusinesses to access affordable, energy-efficient cold chain infrastructure could reduce post-harvest losses by up to 80 per cent, cutting associated greenhouse gas emissions, increasing farmers’ profits and addressing food insecurity.
InspiraFarms™ Cooling designs, manufactures, services and finances energy efficient, data-driven, modular, cold-chain infrastructure. Powered by on- and off-grid solutions which incorporate solar photovoltaic technology, the energy-efficient packhouses are delivered to customers’ specifications, ranging in size between 30m² and 2,000m². The facilities are monitored remotely using automated technology to keep them at a steady temperature of between 2⁰C and -24⁰C (as required for the produce being stored). Local teams are trained to undertake maintenance and to provide customer support.
PIDG’s investment will finance a minimum of five new InspiraFarms Cooling facilities to be operated using the ‘Cooling-as-a-Service’ model.
It is anticipated that the pilot will enable InspiraFarms Cooling to generate additional data to support the value of its new ‘Cooling-as-a-Service’ delivery model, enabling the business to scale and attract further finance for replication in other markets.
By offering services at farm level, InspiraFarms Cooling’s solution extends the shelf life of produce and enables it to attract a higher value, particularly in the export market.
The project pilots a new Operating Asset Model whereby InspiraFarms Cooling retains ownership of the packhouses, with clients paying a monthly fee based on tonnes of throughput required. The model reduces high up-front costs and is commonly used close to ports but is lacking on or near to farms.
With access to ‘first-mile’ cold storage, farmers can sell their produce year-round, supporting climate change adaptation and resilience. The initiative reduces food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.
