African startups collaborate to establish continent's initial electric cold chain delivery system
Kenya's major cities are witnessing a transformative change in food distribution, as Kenyan startups Roam and Keep It Cool launch Africa's first fully electric cold-chain delivery network. This pioneering initiative, combining solar-powered refrigeration with clean electric delivery motorcycles, is delivering significant environmental, economic, and social impacts.
This innovative cold-chain system, designed for African conditions, addresses critical challenges in food distribution. By employing zero-emission electric motorcycles and relying on clean energy, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions, improves air quality, and decreases dependence on fossil fuels.
One of the key environmental benefits is the prevention of nearly 400 tonnes of fish waste annually due to Keep It Cool's efficient cold storage and logistics technology. This reduction in food waste and environmental pollution is a significant step towards sustainable food distribution.
Economically, the network offers numerous advantages. Roam's electric motorcycles cut fuel and running costs by up to 75% compared to traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) motorcycles, making cold-chain delivery more affordable and accessible for businesses. The network supports over 4,000 small businesses and 40 supermarkets, moving more than 250,000 kg of fresh food weekly, thereby boosting local economies and supporting rural incomes.
Socially and in terms of food security, the cold-chain network enhances food safety and quality by maintaining the cold chain through smart refrigeration and clean transport. It creates a scalable model for safe, affordable food distribution, increasing access to fresh food in urban and peri-urban areas. This initiative strengthens local supply chains, empowering local producers and vendors, and supporting Kenya’s food system resilience.
Elijah Gakomo, sales executive at Roam, stated that the partnership between Roam and Keep It Cool is driving real impact by reducing emissions, cutting costs, and strengthening local supply chains. Abigail Gichigi, operations director at Keep It Cool, further stated that the innovations in safe, affordable food distribution made possible by the partnership with Roam are making food distribution scalable.
Keep It Cool, a company redefining food supply chains in East Africa through its smart cold chain platform, Markiti, has added five Roam Air electric motorcycles to its system as part of this partnership. The Roam Air electric motorcycles, with a carrying capacity of up to 240 kg, prove practical for various delivery demands.
This groundbreaking collaboration between Kenyan startups Roam and Keep It Cool represents a pioneering step towards sustainable logistics, climate resilience, and improved food security in Africa, combining innovation with impactful environmental and social benefits.
- In this partnership, the combination of Roam's innovative electric motorcycles and Keep It Cool's smart cold chain platform aims to drive significant impacts in not only reducing emissions, but also cutting costs and strengthening local supply chains, especially in the context of environmental-science, finance, business, and technology.
- By integrating solar-powered refrigeration and clean electric delivery motorcycles as part of their respective services, both Roam and Keep It Cool are demonstrating how sustainable solutions can address critical challenges in environmental-science and lifestyle, while also offering economic advantages in Finance and Business.
- As technology continues to advance and reshape industries, the collaboration between Kenyan startups Roam and Keep It Cool in the field of cold-chain logistics serves as a model for how innovative initiatives can positively impact the environment, society, and local economies, while also contributing to improved food security and climate resilience.
