Ethiopia Opens Africa's Largest Cold Storage Facility to Cut Food Waste
Addis Ababa, 28 January 2026
Ethiopia has inaugurated its largest cold storage facility, spanning over 11,400 square metres and capable of storing 30,000 quintals of produce simultaneously. Built at a cost of 1.7 billion birr by the Ethiopian Commercial Corporation, the Addis Ababa facility represents a critical infrastructure investment in addressing the country’s persistent food security challenges whilst strengthening agricultural competitiveness for both domestic and export markets.
Strategic Infrastructure Investment Addresses Critical Food Losses
The facility, located in Akaki-Qaliti Sub-City, was officially inaugurated on Monday, 27 January 2026, by Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abiebie alongside Minister of Trade and Regional Integration Kassahun Gofe and Minister of Transport and Logistics Alemu Sime [1]. The comprehensive infrastructure comprises both cold storage facilities and a ten-storey multipurpose service building designed to support integrated trade and logistics operations [2]. Mayor Abiebie emphasised that the facility will significantly reduce waste and environmental pollution occurring after agricultural production, whilst maintaining market stability by preserving the natural quality of vegetables, fruits, and animal products [1].
Capacity and Economic Impact
The cold storage facility demonstrates impressive capacity specifications, capable of storing and organising more than 20,000 quintals of vegetables and fruits alongside up to 10,000 quintals of animal products simultaneously [2]. This substantial storage capability positions the facility as a critical component in Ethiopia’s broader trade ecosystem modernisation efforts. Minister Kassahun highlighted that the infrastructure represents a pillar of efforts to strengthen supply chains and enhance efficiency across storage, distribution, and logistics services [2]. The facility’s strategic positioning aims to ensure safe and timely supply to both domestic consumers and export markets, potentially enabling consumers to access fresh agricultural products at more reasonable prices [1].
Market Chain Efficiency and Farmer Benefits
The cold storage facility’s design specifically targets market chain efficiency improvements by shortening distribution pathways and reducing intermediary costs. Mayor Abiebie noted that the project will safeguard farmers’ interests by improving market chain efficiency whilst ensuring consumers benefit from fair and reasonable pricing [1]. This dual approach addresses a critical challenge in Ethiopian agriculture, where post-harvest losses have historically undermined both farmer incomes and consumer food security. The facility’s capacity to preserve natural product quality extends beyond immediate storage benefits, potentially enhancing Ethiopia’s competitiveness in regional and international agricultural markets [1][2].
Broader Economic Reform Context
The cold storage facility’s inauguration occurs within Ethiopia’s comprehensive trade sector reforms and modern logistics infrastructure investments, which are fundamentally reshaping the country’s market landscape [2]. Minister Kassahun emphasised that extensive reforms are underway to modernise Ethiopia’s trade environment and enhance competitiveness within the global trading system, with priority given to ensuring access to essential goods at reasonable prices and strengthening market linkages [2]. The facility represents part of a broader strategy that includes expanding modern logistics infrastructure and creating more efficient, transparent, and competitive trade frameworks. Ethiopia’s economic performance context includes 9.2% growth achieved in the previous year, with projections of 10.2% growth anticipated for the current Ethiopian fiscal year [3].