Kenyan social enterprise launches solar-powered cold storage fish hub

The hub serves both small-scale fisherfolk and fish vendors by using solar-powered refrigeration technology to improve preservation of fish stocks and expand market access for the vendors. 

Kuza Freezers aggregates fish from local communities and preserves the quality using cold storage units. It then links the supply to buyers in major urban markets – such as restaurants, hotels and fish wholesalers. 

The social enterprise says it aims to expand this model nationwide in an effort to build a climate-smart and inclusive fish supply chain. 

Kusa Freezers positions itself as a value chain integrator by offering storage, logistics and market access – a business models that ensures consistency in supply and better earnings for producers who have long faced barriers due to poor infrastructure. 

The meat and fish sectors are seeking long-term solutions 

“The launch comes at a time when both the meat and fish sectors are seeking long-term solutions to reduce losses and maintain quality in a warming climate,” reports Food Business Middle East & Africa, adding that retail meat businesses in Kenya are facing rising losses due to spoilage. 

According to a 2023 study by the University of Nairobi, retail stores suffer weekly meat losses due to microbial spoilage and moisture loss. “Major challenges faced by meat retailers include fly menace and unreliable electricity supply,” the study found. 

In its latest issue (Issue 2 2025), Strategic Marketing for Africa, the magazine of the African Marketing Confederation, reports that poor cold chain logistics are resulting in massive food wastage in Africa. 

“Nigeria reportedly has less than 4% of its cold chain capacity requirement. Much of Africa faces a similar challenge,” the report states. 

In a blog post published in September 2024, logistics and infrastructure consultancy ALG Global notes that, on average, Africa wastes about 50% of its food due to inefficient supply chain infrastructure, particularly in agriculture.  

In sub-Saharan Africa, where over 60% of the population are smallholder farmers, inadequate cold chain facilities worsen this issue, ALG Global noted.