This report is part of a four-part series exploring investment trends and opportunities in Africa’s cold storage industry. Drawing on a decade of private capital activity, the series unpacks market size, segmentation, key drivers, and investment theses across cold storage, transport, and integrated platforms. It is designed to support investors, operators, and fund managers in identifying and evaluating opportunities in the sector.
Trends in cold chain investment in Africa
Regional trends: Investment in Africa’s cold chain sector is gaining momentum, particularly in East and Southern Africa. These two regions account for the bulk of disclosed transactions, with East Africa recording over twice as many cold chain investments as Southern Africa. The dominance of East and Southern Africa in cold chain investments is expected, given that South Africa houses a significant share of Africa’s cold storage capacity, anchored by its role in both regional and global food and pharmaceutical trade.
By contrast, East Africa’s investment story is underpinned
