“AkoFresh,” an agritech startup founded by Mathias Charles Yabe, an alumnus of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has officially launched a solar-powered cooling tricycle under the Cold Chain for Horticulture Project, funded by the Netherlands Embassy in Accra.

Yabe said the solar-powered cooling tricycle was designed to extend the shelf life of fresh produce by up to 21 days, helping farmers reduce food losses, increase income and access markets more efficiently.

“Unlike traditional cold storage solutions that rely on grid electricity, this innovation is fully off-grid and mobile, making it especially suitable for last-mile farmers who often face challenges in accessing reliable energy and market infrastructure,” he said.

He added that the project’s pilot phase focuses on post-harvest management and cold chain solutions for smallholder farmers in Ghana, ensuring that crops move efficiently from farm to fork while maintaining quality and freshness.

“This initiative is delivered in partnership with Holland GreenTech Ghana and Eden Tree Ltd, and coordinated by the Ghana Netherlands Business and Culture Council (GNBCC), bringing together expertise in agricultural technology, distribution and market systems,” Yabe said.

Yabe emphasised that by bridging gaps in storage and transportation, the cooling tricycle is more than just a technology, it is a game-changing solution that strengthens resilience, enhances food security and empowers farmers at the grassroots level.

The unveiling was held earlier this year during the Farmer Field Day in Sogakope. The exhibition attracted a wide range of farmers, agribusinesses and key stakeholders in the agricultural sector.

Among the dignitaries present was Mr. Marten van den Berg, Director-General at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature of the Netherlands, who joined farmers and stakeholders in experiencing the cooling tricycle firsthand. Participants said they were excited about the innovation’s potential to transform smallholder farming by providing affordable, mobile and sustainable cold storage.

“AkoFresh is proud to champion this innovation and looks forward to scaling its impact across Ghana and beyond, ensuring that no farmer’s hard work goes to waste and that communities benefit from healthier, fresher and more sustainable food systems,” Yabe said.

Founded in 2020 with two foreign students from India and Finland, AkoFresh is a green cold chain enterprise offering farmers and traders practical preservation services to help reduce post-harvest losses. It also seeks to improve livelihoods and promote ecosystem resilience in local communities.