ColdHubs: Solar-Powered Cold Rooms Tackle Nigeria's $750B Food Waste Crisis
In Nigeria, food waste is a pressing issue, costing the economy a staggering $750 billion annually. To tackle this, entrepreneur Nnaemeka Ikegwuonu has developed an innovative solution: ColdHubs, solar-powered walk-in cold rooms that extend the shelf life of produce and other perishable foods.
ColdHubs operate on a pay-as-you-store subscription model, making it accessible to farmers. The technology uses light to extend shelf life from a mere 2 days to a substantial 21 days, reducing farmers' losses by around 80%. This not only helps farmers retain more of their produce but also significantly reduces post-harvest losses, which are a major issue in Africa. Currently, 50% of fruits and vegetables, 40% of roots and tubers, and 20% of cereals are lost post-harvest or during processing. The total amount of food lost in Africa could feed 300 million people.
Ikegwuonu's ColdHubs use only 1kW of energy and can run for three days without sunlight, making them an efficient and reliable solution. The system is designed to be affordable and accessible, with a subscription model that allows farmers to pay only for the storage they use.
ColdHubs, developed by Nnaemeka Ikegwuonu, are proving to be a game-changer in Nigeria's fight against food waste. By extending the shelf life of produce and reducing post-harvest losses, they are helping farmers retain more of their crops and reducing the economic burden of food waste. With the potential to feed 300 million people, the impact of ColdHubs on Africa's food security is immense.
