Up to 40% of food produced in Sub-Saharan Africa is lost before it reaches consumers due to inadequate storage and cold chain infrastructure, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This significant gap is continuously driving investment and innovation across East Africa’s packaging, processing, plastics, printing, and agro-processing sectors, as industry stakeholders work to strengthen supply chains, improve food security, and reduce post-harvest losses.
Across the region, investments in cold chain infrastructure are gaining momentum, with new storage facilities, logistics networks, and temperature-controlled systems being developed to support agricultural value chains and food distribution. These developments are playing a critical role in enabling agro-processing, improving product shelf life, and expanding access to regional and export markets.
According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), demand for temperature-controlled logistics in emerging markets is rising due to population growth, urbanisation, and shifting consumer behaviour, with greater demand for higher-quality and perishable food products requiring reliable cold chain systems.
In addition, World Bank analysis highlights that rapid urbanisation and population growth across Africa are drastically contributing to the increasing demand for efficient food distribution systems and resilient supply chains, further reinforcing the need for expanded cold chain infrastructure across the region.
Industry leaders note that while progress is being made, significant gaps remain between existing infrastructure and demand. Fredd Kambo, Managing Director at Arch Emerging Partners, highlighted that cold chain development is both a commercial opportunity and a critical intervention for the region.
“Cold chain is not just a commercial opportunity, it is critical to food security, food safety, and regional development,” he said, noting that investment is being directed toward building integrated storage and logistics networks across East Africa, including operations and expansion plans in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda. Kambo further emphasised that insufficient cold chain capacity continues to constrain agricultural productivity and distribution efficiency, with many supply chains lacking the infrastructure required to maintain product quality from farm to market.
The expansion of cold chain systems is having a direct impact across PROPAK East Africa’s core sectors. In packaging, demand is increasing for insulated and temperature-controlled solutions that protect product integrity during transportation. In processing and agro-processing, improved cold storage is supporting value addition and reducing food waste, while plastics play a key role in the development of durable, hygienic, and efficient storage and transport materials. In addition, the need for accurate labelling, traceability, and compliance is driving demand within the printing sector, particularly for solutions that support product tracking, expiry management, and supply chain transparency.
At a broader level, global development frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 12) continue to emphasise the importance of reducing food loss and waste, reinforcing the need for improved infrastructure and more efficient supply chains across developing markets.
As East Africa continues to invest in cold chain infrastructure, the sector will be expected to play a central role in transforming regional supply chains, improving food systems, and driving innovation across manufacturing and logistics industries.
These developments are expected to be a key area of focus at the next edition of PROPAK East Africa, taking place from 2-4 March 2027, where industry stakeholders will explore emerging technologies, investment opportunities, and solutions shaping the future of packaging, processing, and supply chain systems in the region.
PROPAK East Africa is the region’s leading exhibition and conference for the packaging, printing, plastics, and processing industries. Having marked a decade of presence in East Africa, the event brings together industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers to showcase cutting-edge technologies, foster business connections, and address key challenges shaping the future of manufacturing and supply chains. The upcoming edition will continue this momentum under the theme “Powering the Next Decade of Industry,” reflecting the event’s focus on innovation, sustainability, and long-term industrial growth across the region.
For more information, visit www.propakeastafrica.com
Did you know that up to 40% of food in Sub-Saharan Africa never reaches the table due to poor cold chain logistics? That’s why robust investment in infrastructure is key to transforming regional food systems. In this SPECIAL FEATURE from the Montgomery Group East Africa press release, we look at how PROPAK East Africa brings industry leaders together to bridge this gap with innovative processing and packaging solutions. How can we better utilize technology in our supply chain? Let us know in the comments as you enjoy the read👊🤝🙏! Best regards from ALL of us at – WHERE To Print magazine – www.wheretoprintmagazine.com
#drive #investment #innovation #improvement #supplychain #foodsecurity #postharvestloss @Fredd Kambo Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) @International Finance Corporation (IFC) @United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 12) Propak East Africa
