By Eamonn Ryan derived from the webinar.
The Global Cold Chain Foundation (GCCF) recently completed an important study on the cold chain sector in West Africa, specifically in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal. The webinar that accompanied the study highlighted the findings and recommendations from the assessment. This is part one of a multi-part series covering a webinar on this topic.
The webinar featured a panel of experts, including Greg Laurin from Conestoga Cold Storage, Nicholas Pedneault from Congebec, Roudy Akiki from CT-Technologies, and GCCF Africa’s own Paul Matthew, Amanda Brondy and Madison Jaco.
The primary goal of this study was to assess the design, construction, operations and maintenance of the cold chain infrastructure in these countries. Furthermore, the study aimed to identify skills gaps in the cold chain sector, which GCCF plans to address through a variety of initiatives such as training programmes, consultations, networking events and other educational resources.
This study was conducted as part of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)-funded Emerging Markets Program (EMP). The initiative is a collaboration between GCCF, cold chain technical experts, members of the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) and CEBA members. The overarching goal of the project is to strengthen cold chain logistics in West Africa, ultimately facilitating trade between the US and the three target countries—Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal. In addition, the project seeks to support local production for local consumption, regional exchanges, and broader pan-African trade.
Key observations from the study included a need for significant improvements in cold chain infrastructure, especially at ports and airports, as well as challenges related to transportation and logistics. The USDA-funded project aims to enhance cold chain logistics, reduce food waste, and improve food safety in the region. Several initiatives are planned as part of the project, such as mentorship programmes, technical training, study tours and consultations, all geared toward addressing the cold chain sector’s current limitations.
Throughout the webinar, experts discussed various aspects of the project. For instance, they emphasised the importance of government incentives, private sector investments and the role of third-party logistics in advancing the cold chain market in West Africa. Participants also acknowledged the region’s strategic importance, with Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal serving as key hubs for the trans-shipment of goods to neighbouring, landlocked countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
The webinar featured a panel of experts, including Greg Laurin from Conestoga Cold Storage, Nicholas Pedneault from Congebec, Roudy Akiki from CT-Technologies, and GCCF Africa’s own Paul Matthew, Amanda Brondy, and Madison Jaco. Together, they presented insights into the current state of the cold chain in these countries and discussed future initiatives to improve the handling of perishable goods, reduce food waste and ensure food safety. Additionally, the panel underscored the significance of improving cold chain capacity to handle both domestic and imported food products, with a particular focus on perishable items such as proteins.