Post-harvest losses in Nigeria’s agricultural sector are receiving attention with the launch of a solar-powered cold storage facility in Enugu, spearheaded by local entrepreneurs, with the U.S. Consulate commending the initiative.
Nigeria faces substantial annual losses—estimated at nearly $9 billion due to post-harvest waste, exacerbated by inadequate cold storage infrastructure. But that is being addressed even at the sub national level. Solar-powered facilities like the one inaugurated by the Enugu State government offer a sustainable solution to preserve agricultural produce, benefiting stakeholders across the value chain.
In a virtual address Consul General Will Stevens of the U.S. Consulate in Lagos commended the inauguration of Manamuz Electric’s Aguobu Iwollo Refrigerated Aggregation Centre in Enugu State. The project, spearheaded by Mandela Washington Fellow Uzo Mbamalu, marks a significant step towards combating post-harvest losses in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Stevens highlighted the pivotal role of Uzo Mbamalu, one of 12,000 Nigerians who have participated in U.S. government exchange programs. Leveraging his experience from a 6-week exchange at the University of Nevada-Reno, Uzo forged connections that facilitated the realization of this initiative. Technical and business advisory support from the university’s College of Business, coupled with a grant from the U.S. Africa Development Foundation, further propelled the project forward.
The consul general expressed gratitude to the project’s diverse stakeholders, including the Enugu State Marketing Company, Enugu State Polytechnic Iwollo, and smallholder farmers, whose contributions have been integral to its success.
