In a groundbreaking leap for sustainable logistics, Kenyan startups Roam and Keep It Cool have launched Africa’s first fully electric cold-chain delivery network.
By combining Roam’s cutting-edge electric motorcycles with Keep It Cool’s solar-powered refrigeration, this partnership is transforming food distribution across Kenya, prioritizing affordability, sustainability, and local innovation.
Here’s how this collaboration is reshaping the future of food security, climate action, and economic inclusion in Africa.
A Game-Changing Partnership for Sustainable Logistics
The collaboration between Roam, a leader in electric mobility solutions, and Keep It Cool, a pioneer in smart cold-chain technology through its Markiti platform, is setting a new standard for eco-friendly food distribution.
Starting with five Roam Air electric motorcycles, the initiative integrates clean transport into Keep It Cool’s existing network, which already moves over 250,000 kg of fresh produce weekly to more than 4,000 businesses across Kenya’s major cities, including Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Mombasa.
Roam Air motorcycles are designed for efficiency, boasting a 240 kg payload capacity and operating costs up to 75% lower than traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) motorcycles.
This makes them a practical and affordable solution for last-mile delivery, particularly in urban areas where cost and sustainability are critical.
READ ALSO:Roam and Greenspoon Redefine Food Delivery in Kenya
Keep It Cool’s Markiti platform, powered by solar energy, tackles post-harvest losses by providing solar-powered cold storage and a digital system that connects producers directly to retailers, eliminating middlemen and boosting profits.
The company has already reduced food waste by 98% and saved nearly 400 tonnes of fish annually from spoilage, addressing East Africa’s critical post-harvest crisis.
Driving Impact: Food Security, Climate Action, and Economic Inclusion
This partnership is more than just a logistics upgrade,it’s a bold step toward addressing some of Africa’s most pressing challenges:
- Food Security: In East Africa, nearly half of fish and poultry is lost before reaching markets due to inadequate cold storage and transport. Keep It Cool’s solar-powered cold rooms and Roam’s electric motorcycles create a fully clean supply chain from harvest to market, reducing losses and ensuring fresh, safe food reaches consumers.
- Climate Action: By leveraging renewable energy and electric mobility, the initiative cuts emissions by 51% compared to traditional methods, aligning with global sustainability goals and mitigating the environmental impact of food distribution.
- Economic Inclusion: The partnership supports over 5,600 fisherfolk, increasing their incomes by more than 15% through direct market access and reduced losses. With plans to scale to 1.6 million people by 2030, Keep It Cool’s upcoming 70-tonne solar-powered cold-chain hub will further amplify this impact.
Elijah Gakomo, Sales Executive at Roam, emphasized the partnership’s potential: “This partnership shows how clean transport can drive real impact, reducing emissions, cutting costs, and strengthening local supply chains.”
Abigail Gichigi, Operations Director at Keep It Cool, added, “These innovations are making safe, affordable food distribution scalable.
With our partnership with Roam, we’re accelerating this impact even further,delivering direct benefits for both people and the planet.”
Why This Matters for Kenya and Beyond
The Roam and Keep It Cool collaboration is a testament to African innovation addressing local challenges with global implications.
By combining Kenyan-designed technology, like the Roam Air Gen 2, refined with user feedback, with Keep It Cool’s smart logistics, this initiative proves that sustainable solutions can be both scalable and profitable.
The partnership also aligns with broader trends in Africa’s electric mobility and cold-chain sectors.
For instance, South Africa’s Clicks Group and United Pharmaceutical Distributors recently launched a similar electric cold-chain fleet, highlighting the growing demand for clean logistics solutions across the continent.
With the electric micro-mobility market for last-mile delivery projected to grow 20% annually through 2030, initiatives like this are paving the way for a greener, more inclusive future.
READ ALSO:Keep IT Cool Secures Earthshot Prize for Groundbreaking Fresh Delivery Solution
The Future of Sustainable Logistics in Africa
As global fintech and logistics markets evolve, Kenya’s leadership in sustainable cold-chain innovation positions it as a hub for transformative solutions.
With 526 million tonnes of food lost globally due to inadequate cold chains, and Africa facing significant post-harvest losses, scalable models like this are critical for food security and economic growth.
Roam and Keep It Cool are not just delivering fresh produce, they’re delivering hope, resilience, and a blueprint for sustainable development.
As Keep It Cool prepares to open Kenya’s largest solar-powered cold-chain hub, and Roam continues to refine its electric vehicles, this partnership is set to redefine logistics across Africa.
Ronnie Paul is a seasoned writer and analyst with a prolific portfolio of over 1,000 published articles, specialising in fintech, cryptocurrency, and digital finance at Africa Digest News.
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