By Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) director for Africa Paul Matthew
It was a pleasure to spend a fantastic two days with temperature-controlled logistics leaders from across Africa at our 2025 GCCA Africa Cold Chain Conference in Durban.
The GCCA conference has become an essential fixture in Africa’s cold chain calendar. This year’s gathering was an invaluable chance for more than 120 professionals to convene to make new connections, learn from one another, discuss new ideas and grow as an industry.
It was also an important milestone in GCCA’s advocacy work, as we continue to work for a policy environment that supports investment into the cold chain across the continent. South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen joined us at the event, addressing delegates and spending time hearing about attendees’ experiences, challenges and opportunities in temperature-controlled logistics.
The minister’s views align closely with the principles behind last year’s GCCA ‘Call to Action’ paper, which sets out policy actions that can help harness the power of temperature-controlled logistics to deliver African resilience, prosperity and trade.
Describing the cold chain as “at the heart” of answering the question of food security and cold chain growth as “smart economics”, the minister’s address showed thoughtful consideration of the role that these businesses play in the success of the South African food and farming industries. GCCA will continue to work with the minister and his colleagues to promote policy actions that support and encourage investment into temperature-controlled logistics.
Conference speakers and panellists who shared their knowledge and expertise from the conference stage were engaging and insightful. A particular highlight was the fascinating address from Jayson Coomer, CFO of Chicoa Fish Farm in Mozambique, about the crucial role of temperature-controlled logistics in this aquaculture operation. Chicoa Fish Farm not only produces the highly nutritious and scaleable protein source of tilapia fish through sustainable fish farming practices, but also connects small-scale farmers to markets, delivers training and fingerlings, and fosters entrepreneurship. Situated at the mouth of the gorge of Lake Cahora Bassa, the farm has developed bespoke cold chain logistics from factory to market, underpinning the entire model.
Another highlight was the programme’s deep dive into the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) within the temperature- controlled logistics industry. AI is not just coming, it’s here, and it’s reshaping how we think about cold chain logistics. Zaheer Hoosen, regional operations manager at PPCEB (Perishable Products Export Control Board) Durban, talked about the PPECB’s digital transformation journey and what smart tech changes mean for product inspection and cold chain processes now and looking to the future; and Adam Walker (general manager, Keyrus) presented on the use of AI in refrigerated transportation for predictive analysis, temperature monitoring and route optimisation.
The discussions throughout the conference, both on and off stage, emphasised our industry’s progress in harnessing smart technologies for resilience and sustainability in Africa’s third- party cold chain services of today and into the future. These discussions were vibrant and inspiring.
Heartfelt thanks to all speakers, panellists and sponsors who made this year’s GCCA Africa Conference such a constructive and enjoyable gathering. Particular thanks goes to KHOLD Cold Stores, who provided a fascinating tour of their impressive Maydon Wharf facility; and to Transnet Port Terminals who hosted an interesting tour of Durban Port for conference delegates.
Unlocking cold chain growth is key to Africa’s economic prosperity, to securing new international trade opportunities, to advancing healthcare provision, and to building greater resilience in the food supply chain. The GCCA Africa Cold Chain Conference 2025 was an invaluable forum to explore the path forwards as we look to the future as individuals, within our own organisations, and together as an industry.