International Youth Day: Young innovators bring cooling solutions to farmers in Nigeria

Manamuz Electric LTD has developed a modular, solar-powered walk-in commercial refrigeration unit to provide 'cooling as a service' to rural farmers in Nigeria. A pilot project launched in July 2021 in the Ngwo community, Enugu State, has already integrated 151 farmers and stored over 6,000 kg of tomatoes. The innovation aims to address energy access gaps in the agricultural sector, reduce food waste, and increase farmer income by extending the shelf life of produce without relying on fossil fuels.

• Manamuz Electric LTD developed a modular, solar-powered walk-in commercial refrigeration system designed for rural communities, farm clusters, and markets lacking grid electricity. The pilot unit utilizes a 7.7 kilowatt off-grid solar system with battery backup and features an adjustable temperature range to accommodate different types of farm produce.
• The project employs a 'cooling as a service' business model, allowing farmers to pay a small fee for storage rather than owning the equipment, which increases affordability and accessibility. The technology is also noted for its potential application in vaccine storage and distribution.
• A pilot project launched in July 2021 in the Ngwo community, Odegba, Enugu State, Nigeria, has integrated 151 farmers into its cold chain network and stored more than 6,000 kg of tomatoes within its first month of operation, serving approximately 2,000 customers weekly.
• To support farmers who cannot afford cooling services or lack market access, the team is introducing 'procurement as a service' to connect farmers with buyers and off-takers. This includes the development of a mobile app and website to create a more efficient digital food supply chain.

APA

Sustainable Energy for All (2021). International Youth Day: Young innovators bring cooling solutions to farmers in Nigeria. https://www.seforall.org/stories-of-success/young-innovators-bring-cooling-solutions-Nigeria

Chicago

Sustainable Energy for All. International Youth Day: Young innovators bring cooling solutions to farmers in Nigeria. 2021. https://www.seforall.org/stories-of-success/young-innovators-bring-cooling-solutions-Nigeria.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Sustainable Energy for All |title=International Youth Day: Young innovators bring cooling solutions to farmers in Nigeria |date=11 August 2021 |url=https://www.seforall.org/stories-of-success/young-innovators-bring-cooling-solutions-Nigeria |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{sustainableenergyforall2021international, author = {{Sustainable Energy for All}}, title = {{International Youth Day: Young innovators bring cooling solutions to farmers in Nigeria}}, institution = {Sustainable Energy for All}, year = {2021}, month = aug, url = {https://www.seforall.org/stories-of-success/young-innovators-bring-cooling-solutions-Nigeria}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }