Solar-Powered Refrigerators Reduce Food Waste in Kenya

Some local residents in Nairobi faced significant losses due to spoilage before acquiring solar-powered refrigerators from Koolboks, a Kenyan startup. According to an article by VOA, these innovative devices, equipped with ice compartments, can keep food cool for up to four days without electricity, even in limited sunlight.

Koolboks offers flexible payment plans, making the refrigerators accessible to small businesses. Customers pay a down payment of 20-35% and can spread the remaining cost over 24 months. The company has sold approximately 7,000 units, addressing the high cost of conventional refrigerators, which range from 11,000 to 100,000.

Dorothy Otieno of the Center for Environmental Justice and Development highlighted the importance of supporting small businesses in accessing these devices. Koolboks also markets refrigerators for vaccines, addressing critical storage challenges, such as those faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Environmentalists note that reducing food waste, which ranges from 40-100 kg per person annually in Kenya, can mitigate climate change. Koolboks’ technology was showcased at the Africa Tech Summit, underscoring its potential to solve local problems.