NAIROBI, KENYA — Milk and egg vendor Caroline Mukundi has been selling fresh food at a bustling market in Nairobi for years. But her business faced a major challenge – keeping her products fresh without a reliable source of power.
With no means to refrigerate her goods, Mukundi often lost a significant portion of her stock to spoilage. The cost of refrigeration was also out of reach for her small business.
“It was a big challenge for me,” Mukundi says, recalling the struggles she faced in keeping her perishable goods fresh.
But her situation took a turn for the better when she acquired a solar-powered refrigerator.
Named Koolboks and manufactured in Kenya, these refrigerators are equipped with ice compartments that can chill food even without a source of electricity. They can keep food cool for up to four days without any power, even with limited sunlight.
According to Natalie Casey, chief business officer at Koolboks startup company, customers can buy these refrigerators on a customized payment model.
“The price range for these refrigerators can be between 1,500 and 3,000 U.S. dollars, as it includes not only the appliances but also the solar panels and battery storage to enable continuous cooling,” Casey explains. “To make it more accessible, we have come up with a payment plan where customers can pay a down payment between 20 and 35% of the total cost, and the remaining amount can be paid in installments over a period of 24 months.”
So far, Koolboks has sold over 7,000 solar-powered refrigerators, providing a much-needed solution for small businesses like Mukundi’s.
Conventional refrigerators designed for business use can cost anywhere between 11,000 to 100,000 Kenyan shillings or even more, says Dorothy Otieno, program manager at the Center for Environmental Justice and Development.
“For small businesses, these prices are simply not affordable,” Otieno adds.
However, with the introduction of solar-powered refrigerators, there is hope for businesses like Mukundi’s.
“We are looking at supporting businesses, especially those in communities that cannot afford conventional refrigerators, to have access to these Koolboks refrigerators,” Otieno says.
The Koolboks refrigerator was one of the many innovative solutions showcased at the recent Africa Tech Summit held in Nairobi. The conference’s founder, Andrew Fassnidge, believes that such creations are crucial in tackling local problems on the continent.
“What’s interesting with these Koolboks refrigerators is that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the biggest challenges was refrigeration, and it continues to be a problem in most markets,” Fassnidge says.
Koolboks also offers a specialized refrigerator for storing vaccines, which could have a significant impact on the ongoing fight against the pandemic.
But the impact of these solar-powered refrigerators goes beyond just providing a solution to business owners. They also have a positive impact on the environment.
A 2024 survey by the U.N. Environmental Program revealed that Kenya has a high level of food waste, with an annual waste of 40 to 100 kilograms per person. This high level of organic waste has a significant impact on climate change.
But by preventing food waste, these solar-powered refrigerators play a crucial role in reducing the negative effects of climate change.
Innovations such as the Koolboks refrigerators are a testament to the fact that Africa has the potential to develop sustainable solutions for its own problems. It also highlights the importance of investing in and promoting local businesses and startups.
As the demand for these solar-powered refrigerators continues to grow, it is inspiring to see how local entrepreneurs are stepping up to address the pressing issue of food waste and lack of access to refrigeration. Their efforts are not only transforming the lives of small business owners like Mukundi, but they are also making a significant impact on the environment.
It is time for the world to take notice of these innovative solutions and support them in their mission to create a better and more sustainable future for all.
