Ahead of the Network’s forthcoming June 11-12 Accelerating Clean Cold-Chains To Power Rwanda’s Agricultural Transformation Workshop, in this two part article we consider three interdependent pillars critical to developing an effective and efficient cold-chain system in Rwanda.
In Part 1 we explored why Rwanda’s food system needs a cold-chain strategy and highlighted the three key pillars enabling cold-chain access: 1) rural infrastructure development; 2) affordability of refrigerated transport; and 3) the strategic role of public–private partnerships. Insights into the pillar of rural infrastructure were provided and the constrains and opportunities of rural infrastructure development, rural connectivity and road infrastructure explored. Here in Part 2, we discuss the two equally important other pillars.
Pillar 2 - The affordability barrier in refrigerated transport
Despite its central role in reducing postharvest losses, refrigerated transport remains inaccessible to most agricultural producers in Rwanda. High capital and operational costs are major barriers, particularly for smallholder farmers and informal agri-enterprises, who are often priced out of existing logistics services. Current estimates indicate that only 5% of the country’s agricultural firms use cold transport, leaving 95% dependent on traditional or non-refrigerated means for taking produce to market[1]. Limited availability of refrigerated trucks, high fuel costs, and the lack of coordinated logistics networks further constrain access, especially in rural areas. The affordability gap is influenced by both low-income levels and structural challenges, such as market fragmentation and limited scale. Many small-scale farmers operate independently and handle low volumes of product, making the cost of hiring dedicated refrigerated vehicles a business model that is not fit for purpose. Consequently, perishable produce is often transported without temperature control in open vehicles or on motorcycles, leading to reduced shelf life and increased spoilage before reaching markets.
Addressing this challenge requires the development of inclusive logistics models that lower barriers to entry for small-scale farmers and improve access to affordable cold transport. One effective approach is the adoption of shared-use systems, where farmers and agribusinesses form cooperatives to pool resources and access refrigerated vehicles through leasing or rental arrangements. Alternatively, third-party cold logistics services can be developed, where multiple users pay per trip or per kilogram of produce transported or a pay-as-you-go model is offered in which farmers and traders pay for cooling and transport based on usage, making the cost more manageable and spread more evenly. Additionally, instead of buying expensive refrigerated trucks, agricultural firms can lease them on flexible payment plans.
Emerging innovations such as solar-powered refrigeration equipment on trucks and motorcycles offer promising opportunities, particularly for off-grid rural areas where access to conventional fuel and infrastructure is limited. When appropriately adapted to local conditions, these technologies have the potential to reduce reliance on fossil fuels (thereby simultaneously avoiding greenhouse gas emissions) and extend the reach of cooling services to remote farming communities. However, technological solutions alone are insufficient to achieve systemic change. Their effectiveness depends on complementary interventions, including the strengthening of farmer cooperatives, capacity-building/training in cold-chain management, and the facilitation of aggregation centres at the community level.
Pillar 3 - Public–private-community partnerships as enablers of cold-chain development
Developing a reliable and cost-effective cold-chain infrastructure is clearly crucial for reducing postharvest losses and ensuring food quality and safety. However, doing so requires significant investment, making it difficult for the government alone to finance. Public-Private-Community Partnerships (PPCPs) provide a practical solution by bringing together government support, private sector efficiency, and the community to ensure that cold-chain services adequately meet local needs. In cold-chain development, one of the main benefits of such partnerships is their capacity to mobilise private finance and expertise, thereby reducing the public sector’s financial burden while enhancing service delivery. Rather than depending solely on state resources, private entities can co-invest in and manage, for example, cooling hubs, packhouses, refrigerated trucks, and last-mile distribution services. In turn, government agencies can incentivise private participation by offering tax relief, subsidies, concessional financing, or access to strategically located land. These types of risk-sharing arrangements improve the commercial viability of cold-chain investments and promote long-term sustainability. Moreover, the direct engagement of communities in the development and operation of cold-chain services can significantly improve acceptance of new technologies and practices, ensuring that services align more closely with community needs. Through PPCPs, communities can transition from being mere consumers to active co-providers, potentially becoming co-owners or investors in cold-chain facilities.
Rwanda’s rural regions, which account for the majority of horticultural production, remain underserved by cold-chain infrastructure. PPCPs can play a pivotal role in facilitating the development of decentralised cold-chain facilities located near key production zones. Such proximity enables smallholder farmers and cooperatives to access cooling services at affordable rates. PPCPs can also support the shared-use transport models discussed above, where farmers and agribusinesses can pay for cold transport services based on each trip or the weight of their produce, making it more affordable for small-scale farmers/producers. In this way PPCPs can help coordinate logistics, improve efficiency, and expand coverage across different regions.
Similarly, energy costs are one of the biggest barriers to expanding cold-chain infrastructure, but the private sector, through PPCPs, can bring in innovations such as energy-efficient sustainable cooling technologies. The government can support these efforts by offering grants, subsidies, or low-interest financing to encourage private investment in renewable energy solutions for the cold-chain. Ultimately, PPCPs offer more than just financial support, they create shared values by aligning public interests, commercial viability, and community participation. As Rwanda continues to prioritise food system resilience, PPCPs represent a strategic tool for delivering inclusive, decentralised, and sustainable cold-chain solutions at scale.
Building human capacity for an inclusive cold-chain
Alongside investment in infrastructure, developing a sustainable and resilient cold-chain in Rwanda will also require substantial investment in human capital. Training farmers, cooperatives, transporters, traders and other supply chain actors is essential to build technical expertise in cold-chain management, postharvest management, quality control, logistics optimisation and maintenance of temperature-controlled technologies. Without widespread capacity development, cold-chain infrastructure risks being underutilised or mismanaged, limiting its potential to drive food system transformation.
The Network’s Clean Cooling Academy is already making significant strides in building local technical capacity. Through a portfolio of tailored programmes, including amongst others, courses in cold-chain fundamentals, postharvest management, solar-powered energy solutions, sustainable refrigeration, and cold-chain applications for health, the Academy is equipping a new generation of technicians, entrepreneurs, and cold-chain actors with relevant skills. Training that is needed to understand, design, operate and sustain cold-chain systems, while embracing Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) principles. Consequently, the CCN's initiatives are designed with a strong emphasis on GESI, ensuring that women, youth, and marginalised groups are actively included in the cold-chain sector.
In addition, building on the momentum generated by the webinar, we have launched an online Community of Practice – “Mapping the food system: Towards efficient post-harvest management” - to facilitate an ongoing dialogue, knowledge exchange and collaboration among stakeholders. This platform enables researchers, policymakers, agribusinesses, and service providers to share best practices and co-develop solutions for strengthening cold-chain ecosystem. Please do visit the Community’s webpage and become part of the group, helping to transform agriculture in Rwanda and beyond.
The Network’s June 11-12 Accelerating Clean Cold-Chains To Power Rwanda’s Agricultural Transformation Workshop is taking place at the ACES Rubirizi Campus in Kigali, Rwanda[2].