Sustainable cold-storage solutions provider Keep IT Cool targets agricultural value chain improvements with new funding.
Kenya’s Keep IT Cool, a sustainable cold-storage solutions provider, has secured significant funding from Acumen, a global non-profit investment firm, to fuel its ambitious pan-African expansion plans. The funding aims to address the critical gap in cold-storage infrastructure across the continent, enhancing food security and reducing agricultural losses.
With a focus on agricultural value chains, Keep IT Cool leverages renewable energy to provide affordable and efficient cold-storage solutions, ensuring the longevity of fresh produce while supporting smallholder farmers and agribusinesses. The company also leverages a B2B app that connects them directly with customers. Founded by Francis Nderitu and Abigail Gachigi in 2021, Keep IT Cool links supply and demand in the fish and chicken value chains.
Keep IT Cool’s app, “Markiti,” connects a network of shops, outlets, and restaurants with farmers and fisherfolk, enabling them to order fish and chicken directly from the source. This real-time demand tracking helps producers better align supply with market needs. Recognized as a 2024 Earthshot Prize winner, Keep IT Cool currently operates in Kenya and Tanzania but is poised for broader expansion following the funding.
“Our collaboration with Acumen centers on our mutual commitment to uplifting underserved African communities,” said Nderitu, Keep IT Cool’s co-founder and managing director. “We strive to empower these communities by boosting their productivity, improving market access, and minimizing waste, ultimately helping to increase their incomes.”
Addressing Africa’s Cold-Storage Challenges
Cold-storage inadequacy is a persistent issue in Africa, where post-harvest losses of fruits, vegetables, and other perishable goods account for significant economic losses annually. Keep IT Cool’s mission aligns with addressing these challenges, offering innovative, scalable solutions powered by solar energy.
The company’s model not only reduces reliance on diesel-powered refrigeration but also fosters economic inclusion by enabling smallholder farmers to access markets with fresher produce. This reduces waste while increasing income potential for agricultural producers.
Acumen’s Commitment to Social Impact
Acumen’s investment in Keep IT Cool reflects its broader commitment to supporting social enterprises that tackle pressing challenges in emerging markets. The funding will be instrumental in scaling Keep IT Cool’s operations, expanding its footprint across Africa, and further innovating its product offerings.
“In East Africa, post-harvest losses due to lack of adequate cold storage present a critical barrier to food security and economic growth,” said Chris Maranga, who leads Acumen’s work in East Africa. “Keep IT Cool’s solar-powered cold storage technology not only addresses this issue but does so sustainably, empowering fisherfolks and smallholder poultry farmers in some of Kenya’s most marginalized communities. This alignment with our goal to build long-term resilience in local markets made this an easy choice for us.”
Following its expansion into Tanzania, Keep It Cool is constructing a solar-powered cold chain facility that will increase its capacity sevenfold. This upgrade will enable the company to diversify into fruits and vegetables while serving over 100,000 farmers and fisherfolk more effectively. The funding from Acumen will further accelerate its plans to scale operations across Africa.
Driving Regional Trade and Sustainability
The expansion of Keep IT Cool’s services is expected to bolster regional trade and enhance agricultural exports. Reliable cold-storage infrastructure ensures perishable goods meet international quality standards, opening up opportunities for African produce to compete in global markets.
Moreover, the company’s renewable energy-driven approach underscores the importance of sustainable practices in fostering long-term growth. Keep IT Cool is positioning itself as a critical player in achieving food security and climate resilience across Africa.
A Vision for Pan-African Growth
By empowering farmers and agribusinesses with the tools needed to thrive, the company aims to contribute to Africa’s economic transformation while championing sustainability. This investment not only highlights the potential of innovative African startups but also underscores the critical role of private funding in unlocking Africa’s trade and investment potential.
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