Africa's first-of-a-kind cold storage facility launched in Nairobi

Facility aims to serve both export and import markets in the Eastern African region

Africa's first-of-kind Cold Storage Facility has been launched in Kenya, accommodating up to 18,000 pallets, equivalent to 18,000 tonnes of goods at full capacity.

The facility consists of a state-of-the-art, temperature-controlled area as well as a fleet of vehicles for the storage and distribution of perishable food products and pharmaceuticals.  

It was launched on Wednesday at the Tatu City Special Economic Zone and will accommodate a wide range of products with flexibility, which will reduce food waste and enhance safety standards in food distribution in East Africa.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) estimates that around 37% of food produced in Sub-Saharan Africa is lost at various points along the value chain.

The facility aims to serve both export and import markets in the Eastern African region.

With an investment of up to US$15 million (Sh2,298,750,000) from the European Investment Bank (EIB), the ARCH Cold Chain Solutions Fund targets five core sectors in providing cold storage and temperature-controlled solutions to potential customers. 

The sectors are horticulture, meat, poultry, and seafood, as well as food manufacturing, supermarkets, quick-service restaurants/ hotels, and pharmaceuticals.

"Our objective is to create a meaningful impact on food safety at all stages of distribution and mitigate food loss. Our strategic expansion plan encompasses Mombasa, Kigali, Dar es Salaam, Addis Ababa and Kampala," Fredd Kambo, the Managing Director and Co-Head of ARCH Cold Chain Solutions East Africa said. 

"We take pride in our noteworthy accomplishments, particularly in upholding stringent standards of quality and environmental, social, and governance principles."

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