Building a Strong Cold Chain Ecosystem in Kenya: Highlights from the Kenya Cold Chain Accelerator Inception Workshop

Kenya’s food systems are under pressure. Post-harvest losses remain stubbornly high, market access is uneven, and climate change is amplifying risks for producers and value chains. With horticulture, dairy, meat, and fisheries driving jobs and export revenue, building robust cold chain infrastructure is no longer optional, it’s a national imperative.

That’s why the Kenya Cold Chain Accelerator (KCCA), a partnership between Energy Saving Trust, Energy 4 Impact, and GOGLA, convened stakeholders in Nairobi this November for a dynamic workshop aimed at unlocking the transformative potential of efficient, affordable, and sustainable cold chain solutions.

Why cold chain matters 

Government representatives made it clear: cooling is central to Kenya’s ambitions for food security, climate resilience, and inclusive growth. Cold chain systems enable:

• Agricultural transformation for horticulture, dairy, and fisheries

• Climate adaptation, helping producers withstand rising temperatures.

• Job creation through logistics, market linkages, and technician training
• Economic inclusivity, giving smallholder farmers access to higher-value markets

The Kenya Cold Chain Accelerator: Driving systemic change

KCCA isn’t just a funding mechanism; it’s aiming to foster a sustainable cold chain ecosystem in the country.  Its integrated approach includes:

1. Targeted support for cold chain innovators to test and scale proven technologies and business models
2. Technical assistance, research, and skills development to tackle company and systemic challenges
3. Cross-sector dialogue to strengthen policy, coordination, and awareness of sustainable cooling solutions

By connecting enterprise support, policy reform, and market intelligence, KCCA is laying the foundation for long-term transformation.

Emerging business models and persistent barriers to scale

Kenya’s cold chain sector is evolving fast. Innovators are pioneering service-based models that lower adoption barriers:

• Cooling-as-a-Service: pay only for what you use

• Leasing and PAYGo: easing upfront costs

• Aggregator-led solutions: cooperatives managing assets for scale

These models are powered by solar refrigeration, thermal storage, and IoT monitoring—bringing reliable cooling to off-grid communities. Yet challenges remain:

• High import duties inflate equipment costs by up to 50%

• Regulatory inconsistencies deter investors

• Seasonal demand limits asset utilization

• Scarce performance data constrains financing

One bright spot? Cooperatives and producer organisations are emerging as strong anchors for deployment and investment.

Policy momentum and partnerships

Kenya is making strides toward creating a strong enabling environment:

• Expanding Minimum Energy Performance Standards for cooling

• Promoting natural refrigerants under the Kigali Amendment of the Montreal Protocol

• Integrating cooling into county-level climate and energy plans

• Scaling technician training to build local capacity

Development partners are complementing these efforts with green refrigeration pilots, SME support, and workforce programmes, signalling a sector on the cusp of systemic change.

Key takeaways 

• Cold chain is rapidly gaining attention as a national priority. Cooling is starting to be seen as essential infrastructure for food systems, climate resilience, and inclusive economic growth. It is not just a niche investment.
• The Kenya Cold Chain Accelerator is tackling fragmentation. By integrating grants, technical assistance, and policy alignment, KCCA is creating a coordinated platform for systemic progress.
• Innovative business models are reshaping access. Cooling-as-a-Service, leasing, and aggregator-led approaches are reducing upfront costs and making cold storage accessible to smallholder farmers and SMEs.
• Persistent barriers require systemic solutions. High import duties, inconsistent regulation, seasonal utilisation challenges, and limited performance data continue to constrain scale and investor confidence.
• Cooperatives and producer organisations are emerging as game changers. Their structure and financial stability make them ideal hubs for cold chain deployment and investment.
• Policy momentum is strong but needs deeper coordination. Progress on Minimum Energy Performance Standards, refrigerant transition, and technician training is encouraging, but alignment across ministries and counties is essential.
• Sustainable cooling is gaining traction. Natural refrigerants, solar-powered systems, and energy-efficient technologies are increasingly central to Kenya’s long-term cooling strategy.
• Skills development is critical for scale. Technician training and workforce development will underpin reliability, safety, and the adoption of advanced cooling technologies.
• Data is the missing link. Robust performance data and market intelligence are vital to unlock financing and guide policy decisions.
• Collaboration is key. The workshop reinforced that no single actor can solve these challenges alone: public, private, and development partners must work together to build an integrated cold chain ecosystem.

Strengthening sustainable cold chain in Kenya is a catalyst for food security, climate resilience, and inclusive economic growth. The Kenya Cold Chain Accelerator is helping turn that vision into reality.