KNUST alumnus and Founder and CEO of AkoFresh, Mathias Charles Yabe, has launched a mobile solar-powered cold storage trailer following the company’s win at the Japanese Award for Most Innovative Development Project 2024 by the Global Development Network.

The innovation is designed to deliver flexible, on-demand cold storage services directly to farmers, particularly in remote and underserved communities.

“This mobile trailer allows us to meet farmers where they are and reduce losses at the most critical moments,” Yabe said.

Across Ghana and sub-Saharan Africa, he noted that smallholder farmers lose between 40 and 60 percent of perishable produce, such as tomatoes, peppers, and leafy vegetables, before reaching the market. Industry experts attribute these losses not to production challenges but to inadequate storage and transport infrastructure.

AkoFresh’s solution tackles this gap through solar-powered, pay-as-you-store cold rooms that extend the shelf life of produce from a few days to up to three weeks, giving farmers more time to sell and negotiate better prices.

He revealed that the newly introduced mobile trailer builds on this model, expanding access beyond fixed locations. It is expected to support farmers during peak harvest periods, reduce spoilage during transportation, and provide short-term storage at the farmgate.

Powered entirely by solar energy, the trailer maintains optimal storage conditions for perishable goods, helping to stabilise food supply and reduce waste.

The launch follows AkoFresh’s recognition at the Global Development Conference 2024 in Fiji, where the company was honoured for its contribution to sustainable, climate-focused development.

Yabe noted that the award has accelerated the company’s expansion and reinforced its pledge to scaling practical solutions for farmers.

AkoFresh is an Accra-based AgriTech social enterprise on a mission to eliminate post-harvest crop loss for smallholder farmers in Ghana and West Africa. Using solar-powered, off-grid cold storage technology, AkoFresh extends the shelf life of perishable produce from 3–5 days to up to 21 days, empowering farmers with more time to sell, stronger incomes, and reduced food waste.