The ARCH Cold Chain Solutions Fund celebrated the inauguration of its flagship cold storage facility in the Tatu City Special Economic Zone, marking a significant advancement in innovation. The state-of-the-art facility features cutting-edge temperature-controlled storage, a diverse range of services, and a dedication to minimizing food waste and enhancing safety standards within East Africa’s food distribution networks.
Covering an expansive 17,700 square meters, this facility represents a transformative development in the region’s food storage landscape. With a capacity of up to 18,000 pallets or 18,000 tonnes of goods, it is strategically positioned to address the pressing issue of food loss. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that approximately 37.0 percent of food produced in sub-Saharan Africa is wasted at various points in the supply chain. This facility aims to counteract this alarming statistic by implementing top-tier storage and distribution practices.
What sets this facility apart is its unwavering commitment to sustainability. Constructed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, it aspires to achieve the prestigious LEED Gold Certification, a pioneering accomplishment in Africa. By relying on renewable energy sources, primarily solar photovoltaic energy, it aims to reduce its carbon footprint by sourcing up to 30.0 percent of its energy needs off-grid. This environmentally conscious approach aligns with the facility’s core mission of minimizing climate impact while ensuring optimal storage conditions for perishable goods and pharmaceuticals.
Furthermore, the ARCH Cold Chain Solutions Fund’s facility is not limited to local ambitions. With an expansion strategy in mind, the Fund plans to replicate its success in key cities across Eastern Africa, including Mombasa, Kigali, Dar es Salaam, Addis Ababa, and Kampala. Their ambitious plan aims to collectively achieve a substantial cold storage space capacity of 100,000 tonnes, thereby enhancing food safety and supply chain logistics throughout the region.
During the opening visit by the European Investment Bank (EIB) senior team, Managing Director and Co-Head of ARCH Cold Chain Solutions East Africa Fund, Fredd Kambo, emphasized, “Our objective is to create a meaningful impact on food safety at all stages of distribution and mitigate food loss.” This sentiment was echoed by Edward Claessen, Head of EIB Regional Hub for Eastern Africa, highlighting the importance of private sector support in achieving impactful milestones. “While the recent downturn in the economy has sometimes discouraged private investment across the continent, this is a great showcase of what support to the private sector can achieve,” he added.
The ARCH Cold Chain Solutions Fund’s dedication to reducing food loss, enhancing food security, and promoting economic development in Africa underscores their commitment to creating a sustainable future. By revolutionizing the storage and distribution of perishable goods, this initiative sets a precedent for elevating global food safety standards.
