SUPPLY CHAIN

Kenyan social enterprise launches solar-powered cold storage fish hub

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

Aim is to expand this model nationwide in an effort to build a climate-smart and inclusive fisheries supply chain.

Kuza Freezers, a Kenyan-based social enterprise operating in the fisheries sector, has launched its first solar-powered cold storage and fish marketplace hub in the Indian Ocean city of Mombasa.

The Kuza Freezers launch in Mombasa. Photo: Kuza Freezers

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. 

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    Dr Kin Kariisa

    Group CEO - Next Media

    Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
    With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
    Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

    Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

    Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

    • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
    • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
    • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
    • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.