By Eamonn Ryan
The GCCA Africa conference – which takes place on 20–21 August this week – it is worth reviewing the organisation’s 2025 strategy. This is part two of a two-part series.
It is well observed that cold chain inefficiencies remain a significant barrier to Africa’s agricultural development, especially in preserving perishable products. Matthew emphasises the need for better post-harvest management and cold storage solutions that can address these challenges.
He highlights some of the significant challenges faced by businesses operating in Africa: infrastructure inefficiencies, such as inadequate roads and unreliable electricity, which continue to plague the cold chain sector; load shedding and sustainable energy, in particular, is a persistent issue in southern Africa, affecting refrigeration and transportation logistics.
Additionally, Matthew emphasises the importance of addressing post-harvest losses, particularly in agriculture. “In many regions of Africa, the gap between farmers and cold storage facilities results in significant losses, especially for perishable goods like fruits and vegetables. There is potential in working with companies like ZZ2 Tomatoes, which has developed innovative solutions to transport harvested tomatoes directly into cold storage, thereby reducing spoilage.”
The industry is focused on integrating advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) into the cold chain sector. “AI’s potential to optimise cold storage processes and monitor conditions in real-time could significantly reduce waste and improve efficiency. Additionally, IoT technology is becoming increasingly vital for tracking the journey of perishable goods from their point of origin to the final consumer, ensuring products remain at the ideal temperature throughout transportation and storage.”
Matthew shares an exciting development by OKGo where IoT technology/sensors are being used to track refrigerated containers from their origin, across the ocean, and all the way to their final export destination. “This real-time tracking system helps companies monitor key variables such as temperature and whether the container doors have been opened during transit. This technology not only improves product quality but also boosts consumer confidence by ensuring the integrity of perishable goods.”
While the cold chain sector in Africa holds immense potential, Matthew acknowledges the challenges that businesses face, including corruption, poor infrastructure and inconsistent regulatory environments. He emphasises that these hurdles can be overcome through strong partnerships, better policy advocacy and strategic investments in training and sustainable energy solutions.
For instance, Matthew proposes to work closely with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to address cold chain infrastructure issues across the continent. He believes that collaboration between private and public sectors is key to solving many of the systemic problems that hinder the development of cold chain capabilities in Africa.
Training and development initiatives
In addition to expanding membership, Matthew is also keen on addressing the skills gap within the African cold chain sector. To this end, he plans to develop the Africa Institute, which will offer a three-year diploma programme designed to provide specialised training for employees working in the cold storage and logistics industries. This initiative is expected to launch in 2026 and will aim to equip workers with the practical knowledge and skills needed to drive industry growth across Africa. “The curriculum already exists, developed by GCCA from all global best practices and this year we will design the programme, and look for assistance from the cold chain sector in the delivery of the programme to GCCA members. We will also look if there is a need to submit the course to The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), if necessary.”
Matthew is already in discussions with local training providers to collaborate on the Institute’s curriculum, ensuring it is aligned with the best practices in the local industry.
GCCA Africa is poised for a year of growth and development in 2025. Matthew’s focus on expanding membership, improving cold storage efficiency, leveraging new technologies and addressing the unique challenges of doing business in Africa will play a central role in advancing the cold chain industry on the continent.
For industry stakeholders, the upcoming events in West Africa, East Africa and South Africa will offer valuable opportunities for collaboration, learning and growth.