By Eamonn Ryan based on the GCCA webinar The Global Cold Chain Foundation ( GCCF ) recently conducted a pivotal study to evaluate the cold chain sector across three key West African countries : Ghana , Côte d ' Ivoire , and Senegal .
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
NEWS
Study reveals the pathway for cold chain development in West Africa
Image supplied by © Cold Link Africa
By Eamonn Ryan based on the GCCA webinar The Global Cold Chain Foundation ( GCCF ) recently conducted a pivotal study to evaluate the cold chain sector across three key West African countries : Ghana , Côte d ' Ivoire , and Senegal .
The webinar featured a panel of experts , including Greg Laurin from Conestoga Cold Storage , Nicholas Pedneault from Congebec , Roudy Akiki from CT-Technologies , and GCCF Africa ' s own Paul Matthew , as well as Amanda Brondy and Madison Jaco .
The primary goal of this study was to assess the design , construction , operations and maintenance of the cold chain infrastructure in these countries . Furthermore , the study aimed to identify skills gaps in the cold chain sector , which GCCF plans to address . Several initiatives are planned as part of the project , such as mentorship programmes , technical training , study tours and consultations , all geared toward addressing the cold chain sector ' s current limitations .
This study was conducted as part of the US Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) -funded Emerging Markets Program ( EMP ). The initiative is a collaboration between GCCF , cold chain technical experts , members of the Global Cold Chain Alliance ( GCCA ) and CEBA ( Clean Energy Buyers Association ) members . The overarching goal of the project is to strengthen cold chain logistics in West Africa , ultimately facilitating trade between the US and the three target countries — Ghana , Côte d ' Ivoire and Senegal . In addition , the project seeks to support local production for local consumption , regional exchanges and broader pan-African trade .
Key observations from the study included a need for significant improvements in cold chain infrastructure , especially at ports and airports , as well as challenges related to transportation and logistics . The USDAfunded project aims to enhance cold chain logistics , reduce food waste and improve food safety in the region .
The findings of this study , shared through the webinar , provide crucial insights into the state of cold chain infrastructure , the challenges the region faces , and the immense opportunities that lie ahead . As the West African economy grows , so too does the demand for efficient cold chain solutions , which are vital for sectors like agriculture , seafood , pharmaceuticals and retail . However , there are still critical gaps to be addressed in infrastructure , transportation and capacity building .
Ports in the West Africa region have been identified as inadequate .
KEY INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES
The cold chain infrastructure in West Africa is currently insufficient , particularly in the areas of cold storage and refrigeration , which are essential for maintaining the quality and safety of perishable goods . Airports and ports across the region , such as Ghana ’ s Tema Port and Côte d ' Ivoire ’ s Abidjan Port , play a vital role in handling the cold chain but often lack the necessary capacity to handle large volumes of temperature-sensitive goods . In Senegal , the Port of Dakar faces congestion and logistical issues that hinder the smooth transportation of perishable items . Although investments are being made , such as the development of new ports and Special Economic Zones ( SEZs ) offering tax incentives , these efforts must accelerate to meet the growing demand .
Additionally , inadequate transportation infrastructure remains a significant bottleneck . While urban areas like Accra , Dakar and Abidjan have developed cold storage facilities , rural areas suffer from limited access to such infrastructure . Poor roads and lack of maintenance on refrigerated trucks lead to temperature fluctuations that compromise product quality during transport , especially in Senegal and Côte d ' Ivoire . Ghana , although less reliant on refrigerated transport , faces its own challenges with maintaining quality throughout its food supply chain .
SECTOR-SPECIFIC COLD CHAIN DEVELOPMENT
The cold chain sector in West Africa has been particularly driven by industries like seafood , poultry and retail . In Senegal and Côte d ' Ivoire , seafood exports benefit from foreign investments , especially from countries like China and the European Union . These investments have led to the development of better infrastructure for seafood cold storage and transportation . Conversely , Ghana ’ s seafood industry lags , but there is an increasing interest in expanding the cold chain infrastructure to support this growing market .
The retail sector is another key driver of cold chain growth . Major retailers like Ocean and Carrefour are pushing the envelope by investing heavily in cold storage facilities and refrigerated transportation . These investments are especially significant as they bring modern retail practices to the region and demand more efficient logistics solutions . In particular , the expansion of retail into remote areas further amplifies the need for robust cold chain infrastructure .
TRANSPORTATION AND THIRD- PARTY LOGISTICS ( 3PL ) GAPS
Transportation remains one of the most pressing issues for cold chain logistics in West Africa . The lack of an effective 3PL infrastructure adds to the complexity of cold chain operations . Many companies are forced to create their own cold storage and distribution systems , rather than utilising centralised 3PL services , which would offer greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness . This presents a unique opportunity to build a robust 3PL cold storage network in the region , which could streamline operations , reduce costs , and better integrate logistics across industries .
The lack of 3PL providers also ties into broader infrastructural gaps , as many of the cold chain operators rely on outdated facilities or insufficient storage systems . For instance , some cold storage warehouses still use inefficient and environmentally harmful refrigerants , increasing energy consumption and operational costs . This inefficiency underscores the need for modernised refrigeration technologies and better facility designs .
GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES AND POLICY SUPPORT
Governments in West Africa have a key role to play in accelerating the development of the cold chain sector . The GCCF study highlights that while incentives such as tax exemptions and customs duty reductions are available through SEZs , these programmes often lack long-term sustainability and adequate follow-up support . Ensuring that investments in cold chain infrastructure continue to function effectively beyond their initial construction phase will be crucial . Moreover , governments can play a more significant role in offering financing options and grants to support cold storage and refrigeration systems , particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises ( SMEs ) in the cold chain sector .
At the regional level , the African Continental Free Trade Area ( AfCFTA ) has the potential to transform cold chain logistics by reducing trade barriers and improving intra-Africa trade in perishable goods . However , for AfCFTA to succeed , improvements in transportation networks and cold chain infrastructure are essential . The flow of goods across borders will be contingent upon the availability of reliable , temperature-controlled logistics systems .
ENERGY SOLUTIONS AND SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
Another major hurdle in cold chain development in West Africa is the region ’ s unreliable energy supply , which often affects the operation of refrigeration units . Power outages or the lack of access to a stable electricity grid can significantly compromise
Paul Matthew , Director for Africa at the Global Cold Chain Alliance ( GCCA ).
cold chain operations , leading to food waste and inefficiencies . However , there is growing optimism regarding the potential of renewable energy sources , particularly solar power , to address these energy constraints . Solar-powered cold storage facilities are an innovative solution , particularly in rural areas where access to electricity is limited .
Additionally , the integration of energyefficient technologies and practices in cold storage facilities can reduce operational costs and improve sustainability . The GCCF study notes that upgrading refrigeration systems , such as switching from Freon to ammonia-based refrigerants , can drastically improve energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint of cold chain operations .
TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING
The GCCF also emphasises the importance of capacity building in the region , particularly through mentorship programmes and training initiatives . In 2025 , the organisation will launch a mentorship programme that connects local operators in Ghana , Senegal and Côte d ' Ivoire with international experts in cold chain management . This programme aims to bridge the gaps in cold chain design , operations , food safety and business development . The mentorship will offer hands-on support , pairing local cold chain operators with mentors who have extensive experience in managing cold chain systems .
In addition to mentorship , GCCF plans to host a series of training events , both virtual and in-person , focused on critical topics like Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points ( HACCP ), cold chain design and food safety certifications . A key part of these efforts will be organising consultations and facility visits , where experts will provide tailored advice on improving energy efficiency , operations , and facility design .
More comprehensive coverage of the webinar and study findings can be found on Cold Link Africa ’ s website . CLA
COLD LINK AFRICA • March / April 2025 www . coldlinkafrica . co . za 9
Image supplied by GCCA Africa