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 12 of a 14-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.
In 2025, GCCA is set to launch a mentorship programme aimed at addressing some of these gaps in cold chain knowledge and operations. As part of a USDA-funded study, the programme will connect local cold chain operators in Ghana, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire with global experts in cold chain management. The goal is to provide hands-on, ongoing support to individuals who are building and operating cold chain systems in a region where the industry is still in its nascent stages.
This mentorship programme is designed to bridge the knowledge gaps identified through previous assessments, particularly in areas such as cold chain operations, design and build, food safety and business development. GCCA will match 12 local operators with mentors who have over 10 years of experience in cold chain management. The pairings will be made based on specific interest areas and language requirements, with mentees focusing on operations, technology, certification processes and more.
Each month, mentors and mentees will meet to discuss various aspects of the cold chain industry, including best practices, technical challenges, and future opportunities. The programme aims to help mentees create roadmaps for their business development and professional growth. These roadmaps will also inform future training and educational programmes developed by GCCA, ensuring that the support provided is tailored to the specific challenges faced by operators in West Africa.
Training, networking and knowledge exchange
In addition to the mentorship programme, GCCA is also planning a series of training initiatives and networking events throughout 2025. These activities will be in collaboration with other USDA programmes and GCCA members and will include both virtual and in-person components. The training programmes will cover essential topics like HACCP, TACC, and BASIP, as well as address emerging threats and vulnerabilities in the cold chain.
As part of the in-person events, GCCA will also offer on-site consultations where cold chain experts can visit facilities to assess and offer feedback on energy efficiency, operations and facility design. These consultations will help operators identify areas for improvement and provide personalised recommendations to enhance their operations. Priority for these consultations will be given to companies whose employees are actively participating in the mentorship programme.
Another exciting initiative on the horizon is a cold chain study tour to South Africa, planned for August 2025. This tour will offer operators from West Africa the chance to observe cold chain practices in South Africa and learn directly from local operators. The study tour will be organized around the GCC Africa Cold Chain Conference, where participants will have the opportunity to network with industry professionals from across the continent, including operators, suppliers, investors, academics, and associations. This networking event will serve as an invaluable platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration across the African continent.
Government incentives for cold chain investment
One of the key questions raised during the webinar was about the role of government incentives in supporting cold chain investment in West Africa. While each country in the region has its own policies and incentives, there are some common themes. Many West African governments offer tax incentives, such as tax holidays, reduced customs duties and VAT exemptions, to encourage investment in infrastructure development. There are also subsidies for land acquisition and financial support from international organizations like the World Bank and the African Development Bank.